Cape Breton RCMP issue three impaired driving charges, several ticket offences during Operation Impact

Cape Breton RCMP issued criminal charges and several ticket offences during Operation Impact, a national traffic safety initiative, during Thanksgiving weekend earlier this month.

Officers checked 588 vehicles at 20 checkpoints across Cape Breton, dedicating more than 148 hours to traffic enforcement.

Three criminal charges were laid for impaired driving, while 80 tickets were issued for aggressive driving offences, six tickets issued for distracted driving, and two tickets for seatbelt offences.

Police say no roadside suspensions related to alcohol or drug-impaired driving were issued during the holiday weekend on the island.

Overall, in Nova Scotia, 670 drivers were issued aggressive driving offences during the operation, while 23 criminal charges were laid for impaired driving, 14 roadside suspensions related to alcohol or drug-impaired driving and seatbelt offences, while 10 tickets were issued for distracted driving offences.

Nova Scotia RCMP say 8,918 vehicles were checked at 110 checkpoints across the province over more than 1,800 hours of traffic enforcement.

“Every one of these enforcement actions represents an opportunity to prevent a serious collision before it happens,” said Insp. Jeff Mitchell of Nova Scotia RCMP Traffic Services, in a press release.

“While we’re encouraged that most drivers are making safe choices, the aggressive and impaired driving offences detected during Operation Impact show the prevalence of these offences.”

Operation Impact is coordinated annually by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police and raises awareness about the driving behaviours most commonly associated with fatal and serious-injury collisions.

For the Nova Scotia RCMP, the campaign is part of year-round efforts to reduce serious collisions through traffic enforcement, education and increased police visibility on roadways across the province.

“Traffic safety is a shared responsibility,” said Mitchell. “Whether you’re driving to work, taking children to school or travelling across the province, every decision behind the wheel matters. Slow down, drive sober, wear your seatbelt, put distractions away, and help make our roads safer for everyone.”