**** HRP Media Release
Halifax Regional Police release impaired driving statistics for February
Halifax Regional Police charged 36 drivers with impaired related offences during the month of February.
Of the 36 drivers in February 28 were charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle by alcohol, three were charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle by a drug and five were issued driving suspensions for operating a motor vehicle 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 220mg %) with 14 drivers being at least twice the legal limit. Five of the drivers refused to provide a breath sample and were charged with the offence of refusal.
Police received 20 calls throughout the month of February 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.
