In the News

Look out, drunk drivers
Telegraph-Journal
By Jeff Ducharme
December 18, 2009

SAINT JOHN - A traffic sergeant says people are driving drunk but fewer will get away with it after changes in January.

Sgt. Evan Scott of the Rothesay Regional Police Force said police will adopt a stricter standard when using roadside screening devices.

"There's people out there that are driving legally impaired," Scott said.

The units measure blood alcohol content and if a driver fails the roadside test, they are arrested, taken to the police station and given the more accurate breathalyzer test.

A driver may pass the test but still trigger the warning light. A warning results in the driver's licence being suspended for 24 hours.

In January, the units will be adjusted to trigger a fail at a slightly lower level. The change follows the current RCMP policy. That force already uses the lower threshold.

The results of the roadside test aren't used in court but only as an aid for police to determine if a breathalyzer test should be administered.

Scott said the lower standard will mean more impaired drivers won't squeak by.

On Wednesday, MADD donated three roadside screening devices to police in Saint John and a pair of the units to Rothesay police.

More police cars in the region, Scott said, will be better armed to fight drunk driving.

"It's going to mean that many more vehicles have the units," said Rick McNulty, president of the Saint John MADD chapter.

The units cost $1,200 each.

Impaired charges have been on the rise lately, but McNulty believes it's because people are being more vigilant.

MADD, in conjunction with area police and led by Scott, have erected road signs urging drivers to call 911 if they suspect another driver is impaired.

"The 911 program is working extremely well," McNulty said.

More than 50 such signs will be erected around the province in the new year.

Const. Tom Clayton of the Saint John Police Force's traffic unit was also on hand for the presentation Wednesday.

He had a warning for those who choose to drive drunk, especially during the holiday season.

"We're going to be out there," Clayton said. "We're going to be out there checking."

Also see...

MADD Canada's Campaign 911