Impaired Drivers Arrested at RCMP Checkpoints in Head of Chezzetcook

Two drivers are facing impaired driving charges after being arrested by the RCMP at separate roadside checkpoints in Head of Chezzetcook, Nova Scotia, over the weekend. Both arrests occurred during evening traffic enforcement operations aimed at identifying impaired drivers and improving road safety.

The incidents took place on April 17 and April 18, 2026, and involved a Mazda CX-5 and a GMC Sierra. In both cases, roadside breath tests resulted in a fail, and subsequent breath samples provided at the Cole Harbour RCMP Detachment showed blood alcohol concentrations reportedly well above the Criminal Code limit of 80 mg%. The two men, aged 55 and 61, were later released and are expected to face impaired driving charges.

Official Incident Details

According to the official release from the RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment and RCMP Southeast Traffic Services – Metro, the following events were reported:

• April 17, 2026 – Approximately 9:10 p.m.
  • Location: Road safety checkpoint in Head of Chezzetcook, Nova Scotia.
  • An officer with the Halifax Regional Detachment spoke with the driver of a Mazda CX-5 and observed signs consistent with possible impairment.
  • The driver was directed to pull to the shoulder to provide a roadside breath sample.
  • While the officer went to retrieve the roadside screening device, the Mazda CX-5 drove away from the checkpoint.
  • The officer followed the vehicle a short distance and initiated a traffic stop.
  • The driver complied with the second stop and provided a roadside breath sample, which resulted in a fail reading.
  • A 55-year-old man from East Chezzetcook was arrested for impaired driving.
  • He was transported to the Cole Harbour RCMP Detachment, where two subsequent breath samples reportedly registered 150 mg% and 140 mg%.
• April 18, 2026 – Approximately 9:25 p.m.
  • Location: Separate road safety checkpoint in Head of Chezzetcook.
  • An officer with RCMP Southeast Traffic Services – Metro stopped a GMC Sierra at the checkpoint.
  • The officer detected an odour of alcohol coming from the driver.
  • A roadside breath sample was taken from the driver, again resulting in a fail.
  • A 61-year-old man from Lower East Chezzetcook was arrested for impaired driving.
  • He was transported to the Cole Harbour RCMP Detachment, where two breath tests reportedly recorded levels of 160 mg% and 150 mg%.

In both incidents, the men were later released from custody. They are expected to face charges related to impaired driving. File numbers associated with these matters are 26-59299 and 26-59860.

RCMP note that impaired driving continues to be one of the primary contributors to serious and fatal collisions across Canada. Proactive enforcement, including targeted checkpoints like those in Head of Chezzetcook, is used to identify drivers under the influence and reduce the risk of crashes. Communities across the region, from coastal areas like Head of Chezzetcook to inland communities such as Whycocomagh 2 in Nova Scotia, benefit from consistent, data-informed traffic enforcement that focuses on high‑risk behaviours like impaired driving.

CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective

From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, these incidents highlight how a single impaired driver can jeopardize the safety of everyone on the road, especially during evening hours when visibility is reduced and traffic can still be steady. Nova Scotia’s road safety data consistently shows that alcohol- and drug-impaired driving remains a persistent threat, particularly on regional and rural routes where checkpoints are a critical prevention tool.

To help protect your community in Nova Scotia and beyond, CrimeCanada.ca encourages drivers and passengers to adopt simple, non-negotiable habits: arrange a designated driver or rideshare before consuming alcohol, use taxis or public transit where available, and never get into a vehicle with a driver who may be impaired. If you suspect someone is driving under the influence, calling 911 and clearly reporting the vehicle description, direction of travel, and location can enable police to intervene before a collision occurs. Collective vigilance—supported by transparent safety data and enforcement—remains one of the most effective ways to reduce impaired driving harms across Canadian communities.

Official Source & Community Safety

This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the nova-scotia community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.

Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.