Operation Christmas Under Way

This year 17 people have died as a result of drunk driving and another 147 were injured on Nova Scotia's highways. These statistics have prompted Justice Minister Michael Baker to urge Nova Scotians to stay safe and stay sober behind the wheel this holiday season. His message will be hand-delivered to drivers by police agencies in concert with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) on Thursday, Dec. 6.

Police agencies from across the province will gather in Amherst on Dec. 6 to kick-start Operation Christmas. At checkpoints across the province, drivers will receive information and complimentary ice scrapers. The Amherst Fire Department and Emergency Health Services will join 11 police agencies, MADD and Crime Stoppers in the campaign to make this the safest season on record.

"We all have a responsibility to keep drunk drivers off the roads," said Mr. Baker. "This is a totally preventable offence. Seventeen people have died, and another 147 were injured needlessly."

The justice minister also reminded drivers of the consequences of an impaired driving conviction. Each offence could result in a fine up to $2,000. The driver must complete an alcohol and drug dependency assessment -- which costs $365 -- before applying for licence reinstatement. The reinstatement fee is an additional $100. Licences are revoked for one year for a first offence, for three years for a second offence, for 10 or more years for a third offence and for life for a fourth conviction. Potential jail time ranges from 14 days for a second offence to 90 days for third and fourth offences. The maximum sentence is five years.

"I want to commend these agencies for taking this important message to the streets," said Mr. Baker. "Let's make sure there is no number 18."

NOTE TO EDITORS: The participating agencies include Amherst Police Department, Truro Police Service, Cape Breton Regional Police, Bridgewater Police, Amherst RCMP, New Glasgow/Westville Police, Stellarton Police, Springhill Police, Trenton Police, Kentville Police, Halifax Regional Police, officials of the Atlantic Police Academy, MADD, the Nova Scotia Department of Justice, Crime Stoppers, and the Amherst Fire Department and Emergency Health Services.