(ST. JOHN’S, NL), May 25, 2023 – Last week, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC), along with partner agencies, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police of Newfoundland and Labrador (RCMP-NL) and Newfoundland and Labrador Highway Traffic Enforcement (NLHTE), were engaged in enforcement and awareness activities across the province related to Canada Road Safety Week.
This year’s campaign theme, “Take the Wheel”, which is a popular expression that not only means to drive but also to “take control”, was focused on reminding motorists throughout our communities that they are in control of their driving on roads and trails across our province. The RNC Traffic Services and Operational Patrol Services Division collaborated with the RCMP-NL and NLHTE for activities such as speed enforcement, traffic safety checkpoints, licensing and equipment compliance inspections, sobriety checks, and other traffic safety initiatives.
Through the seven-day span of Canada Road Safety Week, officers issued 455 tickets across all RNC jurisdictions, predominantly related to speeding offences. Some other offences resulting in tickets issued were mobile device usage, licensing and insurance infractions, defective equipment and insecure cargo.
A total of 18 vehicles were seized throughout the week during traffic enforcement activities; five related to excessive speeds, six related to impaired operation of a motor vehicle, and seven vehicles for various offences related to licensing and insurance. The excessive speed and impaired operation offences resulted in a suspended driver’s license in each case.
Although Canada Road Safety Week has come to a close, our communities on the Northeast Avalon, Corner Brook and Labrador West can anticipate continued traffic safety initiatives into the summer months. Please report aggressive and unsafe operation of motor vehicles in our communities to the RNC at 709-729-8000 on the Northeast Avalon, 709-637-4100 in Corner Brook, and 709-944-7602 in Labrador West.
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Cst. James. C. Cadigan #775
Media Relations & Public Communication
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
media@rnc.gov.nl.ca