News release

Five motorists arrested for impaired operation by RCMP NL over the Labour Day long weekend

September 3, 2025 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
From: Newfoundland and Labrador RCMP

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Five motorists — one outside Gander, one in Jean de Baie, one near Bay Roberts, one in Northern Bay and one in Noddy Bay — were arrested for impaired driving this past long weekend by RCMP Newfoundland and Labrador.

All five drivers are set to appear in court at later dates to answer to charges of impaired operation. All five also received licence suspensions and their vehicles were seized and impounded. One driver received an additional ticket for operating a vehicle without a driver’s licence.

On Friday, August 29, 2025, shortly after 7:00 p.m., Gander RCMP received a report of a suspected impaired driver on the Trans-Canada Highway headed towards Glenwood from the Lewisporte turnoff. Police attended the area, located the described vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. The driver, a 62-year-old man, showed signs of alcohol impairment, failed a roadside breath test and was arrested. At the detachment, the man provided breath samples that were more than twice the legal limit.

Several hours later, on Saturday August 30 at approximately 1:40 a.m., Burin Peninsula RCMP responded to a report of a suspected impaired driver in the Marystown area. Police located the vehicle on the main road in Jean de Baie and conducted a traffic stop. The driver, a 45-year-old man, showed signs of alcohol impairment, failed a roadside breath test and was arrested. At the detachment, the man provided breath samples that were more than two and a half times the legal limit.

The same day, at approximately 8:20 a.m., Bay Roberts RCMP responded to a report of a single vehicle collision along Hodgewater Line. Police were told the vehicle had veered off the roadway into the trees, and that its operator was attempting to cut trees down to free his vehicle. Officers attended the scene and identified the driver. The 42-year-old Mount Peal man showed signs of alcohol impairment, failed a roadside breath test and was arrested. At the detachment, the man provided breath samples that were more two times the legal limit.

The next day, Sunday August 31, at approximately 3:37 a.m., a Harbour Grace RCMP officer on patrol conducted a traffic stop with a vehicle observed speeding in Northern Bay. The driver, a 56-year-old man, showed signs of alcohol impairment, failed standardized field sobriety testing (SFST) roadside and was arrested.  At the detachment, the man provided breath samples that were well above the legal limit.

Later Sunday evening, at approximately 9:12 p.m., St. Anthony RCMP was patrolling and conducted a traffic stop with a vehicle along Route 436 in Noddy Bay. The driver, a 50-year-old man, showed signs of alcohol impairment, failed a roadside breath test and was arrested.  At the detachment, the man provided breath samples that were also above the legal limit.

RCMP Newfoundland and Labrador thanks those that reported the suspected impaired drivers to police. 

Impaired drivers place themselves and all others who share the roadway at increased risk of serious injury or death. If you suspect a driver is operating a vehicle while impaired, please call 9-1-1, or immediately contact your local police to make a report.

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