Police AssociAtion of novA scotiA 35 Police remind public they’ll be watching for naughty drivers over holidays NEW GLASGOW - If you’re going to drink while celebrating this holiday season, don’t get behind the wheel. That’s the message that police officers from all corners of Nova Scotia were sending to drivers as they converged on East River Road in New Glasgow Friday for an Operation Christmas checkpoint. In addition to the municipal police departments in Stellarton, Trenton and New Glasgow, representatives were also on hand from Halifax Regional Municipality and Truro Police, as well as the RCMP, the New Glasgow Fire Department, Inspection Enforcement, Military Police, Crime Prevention and Mothers Against Drunk Driving. “We have a lot of partners in this and because some of our partners are from outside the county, we all came together for this check point,” explained Const. Ken MacDonald. “We’re taking a province wide approach, that’s the whole point of this.” Drivers were given cards by MADD outlining 10 possible signs of an impaired driver, which include drifting in and out of lanes, tailgating and changing lanes frequently and overshooting or stopping well before stop signs or lights. Part of the campaign urges other drivers to be aware of these signs and report any possible impaired drivers, particularly over the holiday season, says Susan MacAskill, chapter services manager for the Atlantic region of MADD. “We’re asking drivers to call police on their cell phone if they suspect there’s an impaired diver on the roads,” MacAskill said. Using a cell phone to report a drunk driver is the one exception to the cell phone law that bans drivers from using hand-held phones while driving, she added. MacDonald said he’s hoping drivers will think twice before getting behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking, especially over the holidays. If they don’t, he cautioned, police will be ready for them.” We want people to realize police will be out in force over the holidays, and we’ll be looking for impaired drivers,” he said. “That’s the message we want to get out there. We, and our partners here, want to eliminate drinking and driving, that’s our whole purpose of being here today.” Originally published Saturday, December 5, 2009 - The News By Jennifer Vardy Little Const. Graham Purvis, right, with New Glasgow Police, is joined by Const. Mike Cheeseman from the Halifax Regional Police for Operation Christmas, to hand out information pamphlets Friday morning. The two officers were among those that participated in Operation Christmas, a public-awareness campaign to remind drivers not to drink before driving this Christmas.
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