Number of drunk driving charges spikes in Halifax

The holiday season has just started, and there's already a significant increase in the number of people charged with impaired driving offences in the Halifax region.

On the weekend, 17 people were either arrested or suspended for having too much alcohol in their system while operating a vehicle.

Halifax Regional Police launched a series of checkpoints as party season ramps up, but they said more enforcement is not what's causing the increase.

Const. Pierre Bourdages said he doesn't know what's causing the problem.

"We're running on average between 60 and 70 over the course of a month, so it is very high even for December," said Bourdages.

The height of Christmas celebration season comes without the aid of the perennial resource, Operation Rednose, where volunteers provided free rides for drinkers.

"I'm certainly hearing from lots of people who are looking for ways, alternatives, to get home," said Corrine MacLellan, who ran the program.

She said she hopes Operation Rednose will return next December. In the meantime, people are being urged to plan ahead to ensure everyone gets home from their party alive.