**** HRP Media Release
Holiday check points contributed to safer roadways
Halifax Regional Police conclude their participation in the 2020 Operation Christmas campaign and release impaired driving statistics for the month of December.
Last month, members of the HRP Traffic Unit, along with patrol members, participated and contributed to the 2020 Operation Christmas campaign. This annual initiative continues the fight against impaired driving and encourages motorists to practice safe winter driving.
Throughout the month, HRP conducted several check-points to stop impaired driving. These efforts contributed to safer roadways for citizens and reinforced to drivers that there is no tolerance for impaired driving. Operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs puts everyone in danger. Prevention through solid detection helps to save lives.
Halifax Regional Police charged 35 drivers with impaired related offences during the month of December. Of the 35 drivers, 23 were charged with impaired operation of a conveyance by alcohol, one was charged with impaired operation of a conveyance by drug and eleven drivers were issued a driving suspension for operating a conveyance while having consumed alcohol. Of the drivers who provided breath samples, officers were able to detect a wide range of blood alcohol concentrations (90 to 300 mg %) with five drivers being at least twice the legal limit. Six of the drivers refused to provide a breath sample and were charged with the offence of refusal.
We continue to be encouraged by the number of citizens helping to play a role in community safety.
Police received six calls throughout the month of December from citizens who suspected impaired drivers. We thank citizens for calling in suspected impaired drivers and encourage citizens to call 911 immediately if you suspect someone is driving impaired.
Here are some signs of an impaired driver:
- Driving unreasonably fast, slow or at an inconsistent speed
- Drifting in and out of lanes
- Tailgating and changing lanes frequently
- Making exceptionally wide turns
- Changing lanes or passing without sufficient clearance
- Overshooting or stopping well before stop signs or stop lights
- Disregarding signals and lights
- Approaching signals or leaving intersections too quickly or slowly
- Driving without headlights, failing to lower high beams or leaving turn signals on
- Driving with windows open in cold or inclement weather
If you do see a potential impaired driver, call 911 immediately and give the call taker your location along with a description of the vehicle, including the license plate number, colour, make and model, the direction of travel for the vehicle and a description of the driver.
