Seven individuals were arrested by RCMP NL for impaired driving offences between Friday, May 19, and Monday, May 22, 2023.
On Friday afternoon, Happy Valley-Goose Bay RCMP received a number of reports of a suspected impaired driver who was operating all over the roadway. The described vehicle was located and the driver, a 55-year-old woman who showed gross signs of impairment, was arrested. At the detachment, she provided breath samples that were more than four times the legal limit.
Shortly before 4:00 a.m. on Saturday, a vehicle was stopped by RCMP in Harbour Grace. The driver, a 40-year-old man, showed signs of drug impairment and was arrested. He was transported to Carbonear General Hospital where blood samples were obtained. The investigation is continuing to determine if a charge of drug impaired driving is appropriate.
Later that day, shortly after 8:30 p.m., Clarenville RCMP received a report of a suspected impaired driver. The described vehicle was stopped in Clarenville and the driver, a 59-year-old man, failed a roadside breath test. Back at the detachment, he provided breath samples that were above the legal limit.
At approximately 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, a 36-year-old driver entered a checkpoint in Chapel Arm conducted by Whitbourne RCMP. The man showed signs of alcohol impairment. He was arrested for impaired driving and refused to provide a breath sample. Later in the night at approximately 10:00 p.m., at that same checkpoint, Whitbourne RCMP arrested a 45-year old man for impaired driving after he failed a roadside breath test. The man provided further breath samples at the detachment that were nearly twice the legal limit.
Later that night, shortly before 11:30 p.m., a 55-year-old man was arrested by RCMP Traffic Services East at a joint checkpoint with the RNC in Torbay. The man failed a roadside breath test and was taken back to the RNC Headquarters in St John's. He provided breath samples that were two-and-a half-times the legal limit.
On Monday afternoon, Baie Verte RCMP responded to a single-vehicle crash at the intersection of Route 410 and Route 414 near Baie Verte. The driver, a 62-year-old man, who escaped with minor injuries, failed a roadside breath test and was arrested. He provided further breath samples back at the detachment that were more than twice the legal limit.
Six of these drivers received licence suspensions, were released from custody and are set to attend court at later dates to face charges, five with impaired driving and one with refusing to provide a breath sample.
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.