Nova Scotia RCMP will be conducting strategic checkpoints across the province on December 7 for National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day.
Officers will focus on road safety, including protecting Nova Scotians by removing impaired drivers from roadways. Motorists can expect to see increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints throughout the province as police continue efforts to keep our roads safe.
"National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day is about sending the message that impaired driving won't be tolerated," says S/Sgt. Jeff West of the Nova Scotia RCMP. "If someone gets behind the wheel impaired, they are putting all road users at risk of serious injury and death. It's not okay to drive impaired and it shouldn't be socially acceptable."
Drivers who come through checkpoints may encounter sobriety testing. This comes in many forms, including:
- Approved Screening Devices (done roadside to test breath samples for alcohol)
- Approved Instruments (usually done at detachments to test breath samples for alcohol)
- Dräger DrugTest 5000 Approved Drug Screening Equipment (done roadside to test oral fluid for THC [the pharmacological active ingredient in cannabis] and cocaine)
- Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (usually done roadside to test for impairment by alcohol and/or drugs)
- Drug Influence Evaluations (usually done at a detachment to test for impairment by drugs)
- Blood samples (done by a medical professional to test for blood drug concentration)
Failure or refusal to participate in sobriety testing may result in criminal charges that have the same penalties as impaired driving. These may include jail time, license suspension, fines and/or being sentenced to driver rehab.
Please report dangerous drivers to police and call 911 if you see someone driving in a way that is an immediate threat to public safety.
It helps to know:
- your location
- a description of the vehicle, including the license plate number, colour, make and model
- the vehicle's direction of travel
- a description of the driver (if visible)
Every motorist has a responsibility to protect themselves and other road users. Please always drive sober.