RCMP and RNC Traffic Services teamed up to conduct impaired driving enforcement in the Trinity-Conception area on Friday evening and set up checkpoints in a number of communities.
The communities included Shearstown, Bay Roberts, Spaniards Bay, Tilton, and Carbonear. Officers checked approximately 500 vehicles and issued numerous charges under the Highway Traffic Act and Cannabis Control Act. Two uninsured vehicles were seized and two drivers were arrested for drug-impaired driving.
At approximately 11:30 p.m., at a checkpoint in Spaniard's Bay, police spoke with the driver of a vehicle and suspected he was under the influence of a drug. A roadside drug-screening device was used, which confirmed the man was under the influence of cannabis. The 29-year-old Upper Island Cove man was arrested for drug-impaired driving and was transported to Bay Roberts Detachment for a Drug Influence Evaluation. The investigation is continuing as police await the results of the testing to determine if charges of drug impaired driving are appropriate. The man's driver's license was suspended and the vehicle was seized and impounded.
At approximately 11:35 p.m., at that same checkpoint, police checked another vehicle and found the driver in illegal possession of prescription medication and cannabis. He was suspected to be driving under the influence of a drug. Police used a roadside drug-screening device and confirmed the man was under the influence of cannabis. The 31-year-old Carbonear man was arrested for drug-impaired driving and was transported to Bay Roberts Detachment for a Drug Influence Evaluation. The investigation is continuing as police await the results of the testing to determine if charges of drug impaired driving are appropriate. The man's driver's license was suspended and the vehicle was seized and impounded. The man, who was found to be a federal parolee, was retained in custody after his parole was revoked.
RCMP NL is pleased to partner with the RNC to promote road safety. Motorists across the province can expect to see similar impaired driving enforcement initiatives throughout the holiday season. RCMP NL continues to fulfill its mandate to protect public safety, enforce the law, and ensure the delivery of priority policing services in Newfoundland and Labrador.