Half of impaired driving charges were called in from concerned bystanders: HRP

While the total number of impaired driving charges decreased between August and September, the number of those driving at twice the legal limit remains high.

Halifax Regional Police (HRP) released impaired driving statistics for September, which show 34 drivers were charged with impaired-related offences. This is down from 42 charges in August.

The number of those driving with a blood alcohol content of twice the legal limit remained the same as last month, with 10 drivers facing this charge. Officers said they were able to detect a wide range of blood alcohol concentrations, from 80 to 210 mg per 100 ml. The legal limit is 80 mg.

Of the 34 drivers, 24 were charges with impaired operation of a conveyance by alcohol, one was charged with impaired operation of a conveyance by a drug and nine drivers were issued driving suspensions for alcohol.

Cracking down on impaired driving remains a key priority for HRP and across the province.

RCMP reported that in 2024, 1,398 drivers were charged with impaired-related offences across Nova Scotia.

“Public education and awareness campaigns have been ongoing for many years, and still almost 1400 people were caught committing impaired driving offences in 2024,” Constable Bryan Martell, with the RCMP’s Southeast Traffic Services, said in a press release. 

HRP say half of the drivers were charged following calls from people who suspected impaired driving. They continue to encourage anyone to call 9-1-1 immediately if they suspect someone is driving under the influence.

Signs of an impaired driver include:

• driving fast, slow or inconsistently;
• drifting in and out of lanes;
• making exceptionally wide turns;
• overshooting or stopping well before traffic signs;
• disregarding signals and lights;
• driving without headlights or leaving turn signals on;
• driving with windows down in cold or inclement weather.