People who insist on driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs have more than the police to worry about these days.
Police say more people are reporting impaired driving incidents to the authorities than ever before.
“We’re seeing, on average, between 30 and 40 per cent of all the impaired driving charges stemming from a call from a concerned citizen,” says Halifax Regional Police Const. Pierre Bourdages.
Sixty-four impaired driving charges were laid in the Halifax Regional Municipality alone in August. Those charged were mostly male and ranged in age from 17 to 79.
Police say, in some cases, the impaired drivers’ blood-alcohol levels were as high as 3.50.
Police suspect a growing public awareness of the dangers of impaired driving is one reason why people are reporting suspicious drivers.
“We do know that in 2009, MADD Canada started a campaign, and we have numerous sign-posts on our highways in Nova Scotia where people are encouraged to call 911,” says Bourdages.
Some concerned citizens say they have their own reasons for reporting drunk drivers.
“It’s the right thing to do for them, as well as the others they might encounter along the way,” says one Halifax resident.
“My sisters got in a car accident because of that, so I’m not about to let that happen again,” says another.
Most of the charges laid in August were alcohol-related – only one involved drugs.
Police say public awareness may be leading to more reporting of impaired drivers but it doesn’t seem to be leading to more compliance with the law; the number of impaired driving charges has been consistent month-to-month over the last year.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Ron Shaw
