‘It has to stop’: Advocates warn impacts of impaired driving are far reaching

A string of collisions in Nova Scotia sparks concerns about ongoing impacts of impaired driving.

A string of collisions in the region have sparked concern about the ongoing impacts of impaired driving.

Cape Breton Regional Police has charged a 28-year-old man who allegedly left the scene of a collision with pedestrians on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, investigators are working to determine whether alcohol played a role in the Falmouth, N.S., collision that killed five people nearly two weeks ago.

“The rippling effect of impaired driving is incredible and it just has to stop,” says Steve Sullivan, the CEO for MADD Canada.

“It’s a sad reminder to all of us that we need to make the right choices… whether it’s public transportation or Uber or taxis, it’s never safe, it’s never okay to drive impaired,” he says.

Sullivan also emphasises the far-reaching impact of impaired driving.

“If someone’s been injured and they now require care, they may lose a limb, they might have brain injuries… that has an impact on their family as well. Because partners become caregivers. Parents have a hard time, they have to now care for their child and wonder what’s going to happen when they pass on,” says Sullivan.

Const. Troy Redden works in the Halifax district and specializes in impaired driving cases.

He says he removed 121 drivers from the roads in 2024 and 26 so far this year.

“The main difficulty is basically the enforcement, locating and apprehending those individuals. It’s a rather large area in this district and there’s a lot of spots for the impaired drivers to go,” says Redden.

Both he and Sullivan agree that more enforcement is key to help make communities safer.

“I think for all of us, it’s about having conversations within our own families and with our friends about making the right choices and not driving impaired,” says Sullivan.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page