Muskrat Falls workforce linked to spike in drunk driving

Police in Labrador are disheartened by the latest impaired driving statistics in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, where impaired driving arrests were up by 40 per cent in 2014 over the year before. 

RCMP said the increase in charges laid can in part be blamed by the influx of new contractors for the Muskrat Falls project. 

You're not able to go out and get another job- Staff Sgt. Don Rogers

Staff Sgt. Don Rogers said new workers are anxious to fit in with a drink or two, but added there is no excuse for drinking and driving. 

"To me, the economics of it — I can't afford to lose my job. I would think that most people fall into that category, especially in today's economic climate," Rogers said.

Rogers told CBC Radio's Labrador Morning of one instance when a new contractor in town was charged with impaired driving while using a company vehicle. 

The man lost his job.

A short time later, another contractor who had been hired to replace the first worker was also caught driving while impaired, and while using the company truck.

Take a cab, police say

"A job is golden. So that stigma of drunk driving is one thing, but the social and economic impact of losing your job is another ... and your driver's licence," Rogers said.

"You're not able to go out and get another job."

So far this year there have already been eight arrests for drunk driving in the Happy Valley-Goose Bay area.

Rogers said cabs are available to those who want to have a drink. 

"I don't really enjoy having to walk up someone's driveway and do the long walk with my hat on my head saying, 'I'm sorry, but your loved one was killed today by a drunk driver.'"