On Montréal Island in 2008, 1,961 drivers were stopped for driving under the influence of alcohol. These arrests resulted from roadside checks or police interventions after an officer had noticed erratic behaviour.

Roadside checks

To reduce the number of motorists driving under the influence of alcohol, the SPVM sets up roadside checks at various times of the year.

In 2008, nearly 27,555 drivers were challenged at 190 roadside checks in which patrols investigated if they had consumed alcohol. 

When a police officer suspects a driver of having consumed alcohol, the driver will be subjected to a breathalyser test to detect alcohol.  Drivers who fail the test are arrested; those who pass it are released.

Intercepting drivers during patrols

The majority of people arrested for impaired driving are stopped because a patrol noticed their erratic driving.  People under the influence of alcohol often do things that draw the attention of police officers, such as:

• they slow down for no reason;
• they drive below or above the speed limit;
• they have difficulty driving in a  straight line (for example, they drive on the centreline);
• they fail to stop at a red light or an obligatory stop, etc.

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