Citizens help police nab more impaired drivers
CBC News
January 4, 2008

Edmonton police credit a new program for a 25 per cent increase in the number of people charged with impaired driving in 2007, over the previous year.

Most of the increase is thanks to the success of a program that allows people to call 911 to report a suspected drunk driver, said Staff Sgt. Bill Horne.

"Thanks to the actions of ordinary citizens taking actions and calling 911 through our Curb the Danger program, we have fewer impaired drivers on the road," Horne said at a news conference Thursday.

Police received 8,425 calls during the year reporting suspected impaired driving.

In all, 1,925 impaired driving charges were laid in 2007, compared to 1,546 the year earlier.

Officers also handed out 168 24-hour suspensions.

The annual holiday Checkstop program, which started Nov. 1 and ran through the Christmas and New Year holidays, resulted in 251 charges, compared to 271 the year earlier.

Also see...

MADD Canada's Campaign 911