Police ramping up efforts to stop impaired driving

HALIFAX – Police were out in full force across the country today as part of National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day.

RCMP conducted vehicle checkpoints at many spots in Nova Scotia Friday, including in Cole Harbour.

READ MORE: Five impaired drivers nabbed on first night of Operation Christmas

Police say the main goal of targeted checkpoints is to look for impaired driving, whether it’s drivers who may have been drinking or using drugs.

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Cst. Hal Foster with the Cole Harbour detachment of the RCMP says the checkpoints are also an opportunity to chat with the public and look for other driving infractions.

“We’re looking at people’s licenses and documents and paperwork. It’s allowing us an opportunity to interact with the public and at the same time, it allows us to chat with people to see if there’s concerns about drinking and driving,” Cst. Foster told Global News.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We're looking at people's licenses and documents and paperwork. It's allowing us an opportunity to interact with the public and at the same time, it allows us to chat with people to see if there's concerns about drinking and driving," Cst. Foster told Global News.

“Also to bring awareness to the drinking and driving and to let people know we are out here and important it is that people stay safe on the road this holiday season.”

National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day is part of the RCMP’s Road Safety Week initative. Police say people can expect to see an increase in vehicle checkpoints throughout the month of December.