Iqaluit safe-driving campaign kicks off with 8 licence suspensions

RCMP, City of Iqaluit increase patrols and traffic stops over the holidays to combat impaired driving

Iqaluit drivers can expect more traffic stops and police patrols over the Christmas holidays after the RCMP and municipal enforcement officers launched a month-long campaign Saturday to combat impaired driving. (File photo by Jeff Pelletier)

By Nunatsiaq News

Eight people were handed temporary driver’s licence suspensions Friday and Saturday as the City of Iqaluit’s municipal enforcement department and RCMP kicked off a month-long campaign to combat impaired driving.

One driver was issued a 90-day roadside suspension for drug impairment, according to a city news release issued Wednesday. Two other drivers lost their licences for 24 hours, three were given 30-day suspensions and two more had their licences suspended for 90 days, all due to alcohol impairment.

In Nunavut, it’s illegal to drive with a blood-alcohol concentration of more than .05 milligrams.

Over the Christmas holidays, the city’s enforcement officers are working in co-ordination with RCMP on the campaign, which officially began Saturday.

Officers will be looking for impaired drivers at traffic stops and there will be roving patrols throughout the city, Nunavut RCMP posted on their Facebook page Tuesday.

It said more than 55 per cent of fatal car crashes in Canada are caused by impaired driving.

“Impaired driving accidents are completely preventable. We can all do our part to prevent tragedies on our roads this holiday season,” said Const. Peter Lodge of the Iqaluit RCMP in the Facebook post.

 

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(6) Comments:

  1. Posted by Iqaluit resident on

    Thus is good news, keep up the good work.

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  2. Posted by John WP Murphy on

    You named Jack Anawak. Name all of these equally stupid offenders.

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    • Posted by Maq-Pat on

      Jack was (is) a public figure, he was named following his third/fourth criminal DUI offence, one which included a significant crash. His blood alcohol level was well over 0.08 (drunk).

      Most temporary licences suspensions are first offences when blood alcohol is between 0.05 and 0.08 (very tipsy, likely not drunk). These are administrative penalties not criminal penalties.

      These are not the same thing.

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      • Posted by John WP Murphy on

        In Nunavut, it’s illegal to drive with a blood-alcohol concentration of more than .05 milligrams.
        Not quite administrative in my mind.
        Name them, embarrass them, whatever.
        They might think twice the next time.

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        • Posted by Rabble Relaxer on

          It’s administrative because it doesn’t involve the courts and has a lower evidentiary burden than a criminal conviction. Your driving privileges are simply suspended.

          Also, technically Nunavut’s legislation doesn’t make it “illegal” to drive with a BAC over .05, BUT if you do drive with that BAC you are subject to this kind of penalties.

  3. Posted by Iqalummiuq on

    I don’t understand why this is not done every week. Iqaluit has a high number of drunk drivers. This should just be a normal friday and Saturday.
    Day drunk drivers are also an issue. Start doing them during the afternoons the beer and wine store is open.

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