(ST. JOHN’S, NL), May 27, 2021 – The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) engagement in Canada Road Safety Week 2021 this past week resulted in ticketing, vehicle seizures and arrests related to Highway Traffic Act (HTA), Criminal Code of Canada (CCC) and other offences.
With the theme for Canada Road Safety Week 2021, “Not Worth The Risk”, it was very evident through our patrols that potential risks of dangerous driving behaviour did not deter some operators. As a result of the RNC activities, a total of 429 tickets were issued, licenses were suspended, vehicles were seized and some arrests were made. This should serve as a reminder that each unsafe driving behaviour involves the potential risk of fines, suspensions, impounds, injuries, or even death. You could lose your money, points, your license, your vehicle, your physical or mental capacities, your wages or your life. Worse yet … you could be taking all these away from others that you share the road with. Whatever the reason, there is no excuse that justifies unsafe driving behaviour. It is simply #NotWorthTheRisk.
Of the 429 summary offence tickets issued, 280 tickets were issued for aggressive driving and speed related offences. There were over 50 tickets issued for licensing and registration related offences, as well as 11 offences related to using a cell phone while operating. Officers stopped a vehicle on the Trans-Canada Highway on Saturday, May 22nd, after it was clocked travelling 170 km/h. Officers also arrested three impaired drivers, and suspended the license of two operators for seven days after they provided a breath sample result yielding greater than 50 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. These offences were identified by using speed radar, LIDAR, vehicle check points, as well as general patrols throughout our communities. With joint operations involving the Royal Canadian Mounted Police of Newfoundland and Labrador (RCMPNL), Highway Enforcement Officers (HEO) and staff from municipalities, we saw the strength of community partnerships focused of promoting safe roads for all.
The RNC has a concern related to members of the public providing notification through social media or other methods with respect to the location of a police vehicle or a police check point. These vehicle check points are in place to check on licensing, registration, insurance, and sobriety. By publicizing the location of a vehicle check point persons operating a vehicle while impaired, without insurance, registration or a valid license are given the opportunity to avoid these initiatives and continue operating vehicles in our communities. This poses a significant risk to the safety of our families, friends and neighbours. Please refrain from providing any assistance to offenders throughout our communities.
“Operating vehicles in our communities today is so routine that we often overlook the significant power we hold with that steering wheel in our hands. Even the slightest distraction can change a person’s life forever. Behaviours such as impaired driving, distracted driving, aggressive driving and other high-risk activity has already had tragic impacts right here in our communities. Nobody is immune to the effects of dangerous behaviour on our roads, and the RNC will be working to partner with our community as a whole to change behaviours, because it’s not worth the risk.” – James Cadigan, RNC Media Relations Officer
The RNC will continue to focus on the dangerous operation of vehicles in our communities, so you can expect to see heightened visibility and continuous enforcement in to the summer. We welcome community discussion and reporting of any road safety concerns that can assist us in our efforts. The RNC looks forward to continuing to work together to build safe and healthy communities.
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Cst. James C. Cadigan, #775
Media Relations Officer
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
Media@rnc.gov.nl.ca
(709) 729-8658