Placentia-Whitbourne RCMP seizes vehicles for impaired operation, driving while suspended

July 3, 2026 - Whitbourne, Newfoundland and Labrador
From: Newfoundland and Labrador RCMP

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Placentia-Whitbourne RCMP seized two vehicles during separate traffic stops on Thursday evening: one from a driver operating with no insurance and a suspended licence and another from an Ontario man charged with impaired operation.

Shortly after 6:00 p.m. on July 2, an officer on patrol in New Harbour observed a vehicle being driven by a woman known to have a suspended licence. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver — a 41-year-old female — was also found to be operating without registration or insurance, and owing more than $20,000 in fines. She will be required to appear in court on a future date for operating while suspended and operating without valid insurance. In addition, the vehicle she was driving was seized by police and impounded. 

Just before 7:00 p.m., Placentia-Whitbourne RCMP received a call about a possible impaired driver in Cavendish. Concerned residents reported a man showing signs of alcohol intoxication near the beach. Officers arrived and located the described vehicle parked, with the driver inside. The 51-year-old Ontario man was arrested and transported to the detachment in Whitbourne where breath samples confirmed his impairment. 

He was charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle, and impaired operation over 80 mg%. His driver’s licence was suspended and his vehicle was impounded. The driver was held in custody overnight and will appear in provincial court at a future date. 

Under the Criminal Code of Canada, it is an offence to be impaired by alcohol and drugs if you have care and control of a vehicle (meaning you are in a position to put a vehicle in motion). In other words, you can be charged for impaired operation even if the vehicle is parked and the engine is off.

Impaired operation is illegal and dangerous choice that puts you and everyone else on the roads at an unnecessary and unacceptable risk of serious injury or death. If you suspect a driver is impaired, call 911 immediately. 

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