News Room

PUBLIC SERVICE ADVISORY

Motorist leaving courthouse registers ‘warn’ after screening device detects alcohol

Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026

A Lunenburg County man was handed a seven-day licence suspension after a caller from the local courthouse was concerned an impaired driver had arrived at the High Street site.

Bridgewater Police Service officers were recently notified a man who arrived to do business at the Bridgewater Justice Centre had a strong odour of alcohol on his breath. Officers attended and subsequently observed the person matching the suspect description get into the driver’s seat of a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado, exit the parking lot and turn onto High Street.

Police conducted a traffic stop and noted the driver exhibited signs of alcohol consumption. An approved screening demand was given to the 39-year-old motorist and he registered a breath sample indicating a “warn”. A “warn” is indicative of at least 50 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood in a person’s system but below the legal limit of 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood for a fully-licenced driver.

Under Nova Scotia’s Motor Vehicle Act, the immediate seven-day suspension is for a first offence. By law, the driver’s licence is also immediately surrendered to law enforcement for the period of the suspension. Penalties increase if there are more occurrences within a 10-year timeframe.

It’s estimated about one in four deadly motor vehicle crashes involve alcohol and impaired driving remains a significant public safety issue.

Anyone suspecting a driver is operating a motor vehicle while impaired is asked to please contact Bridgewater Police Service at 902-543-2464 or dial 911.

File: 2026-1255756