**** HRP Media Release
Holiday check points contributed to safer roadways
Halifax Regional Police has concluded our participation in the 2023 Operation Christmas campaign and are releasing the impaired driving statistics for December 2023.
Last month, members of the HRP Traffic Unit, along with patrol members, participated in the 2023 Operation Christmas campaign. This annual initiative aims to make the roadways safer by reducing impaired driving and encouraging motorists to practice safe winter driving. Throughout the month, officers conducted numerous checkpoints across the region in an effort to remove impaired drivers from our roads and remind drivers of the dangers and consequences of impaired driving.
Halifax Regional Police charged 47 drivers with impaired driving-related offences during the month of December. Of the 47 drivers, 20 were charged with impaired operation of a conveyance by alcohol, four were charged with impaired operation of a conveyance by drug and 23 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 (80 to 280 mg %) with 11 drivers being at least twice the legal limit. Ten 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.
Of the 47 drivers we received 15 calls from citizens who suspected impaired driving. 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 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.
