National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day – December 2, 2017

November 30, 2017
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador

News release

As part of National Safe Driving week, Newfoundland and Labrador RCMP will be participating in National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day on Saturday, December 2, 2017.

RCMP officers from across Newfoundland and Labrador will be focusing on road safety and apprehending impaired drivers. Motorists can expect to see increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints throughout the province as police aim to reduce the number of crashes involving impaired drivers.

"The consequences of impaired driving are significant," said Insp. Holly Turton, Officer in Charge of Provincial Policing. "Not only do impaired drivers risk their life and the life of others, they will be charged criminally. The effects on family and friends will last a life time."

Motorists are reminded that impaired driving is not limited to alcohol. Drivers can also be impaired by lack of sleep, prescription medications and illegal drugs, all of which can be prosecuted as impaired driving.

Police will also be looking for other unsafe driving practices, including failure to wear a seatbelt, distracted and aggressive driving and speeding.

As a result of recent amendments to the Highway Traffic Act, the Vehicle Seizure and Impoundment Regulations, and the Highway Traffic Driver Regulations, police now have the authority to seize and impound vehicles which are used in an impaired driving offence.

RCMP encourages anyone who suspects someone is driving while impaired to immediately call 911. Providing a description of the vehicle and driver, a licence plate number and direction of travel can assist police in locating the vehicle and getting the impaired driver off the road.

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Contact information

Sgt. Joe Collett
RCMP Traffic Services Central
709-256-6826

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