Community Alert: Extreme Speeding Stops on TCH in Central NL
Two motorists have had their licences suspended after **RCMP Traffic Services Central** recorded them driving at extreme speeds on the **Trans-Canada Highway (TCH)** in central **Newfoundland and Labrador** on the evening of April 30, 2026. Both vehicles were clocked at more than 60 km/h over the posted 100 km/h speed limit in separate stops less than an hour apart.
The incidents happened near **Square Pond** and **Benton**, where a 20-year-old woman from **Ontario** and a 21-year-old man from **Gander** were stopped by the same RCMP traffic officer. In addition to licence suspensions and speeding tickets, one vehicle was seized and impounded. This alert is shared as part of CrimeCanada.ca’s ongoing Safety Alerts coverage to help Canadians understand and reduce serious roadway risks.
Official Incident Details
According to the official report from **RCMP Traffic Services Central**, the following events occurred on Thursday, April 30, 2026:
- Time & location (first stop): At approximately 4:45 p.m., an RCMP Traffic Services Central officer on patrol observed a vehicle travelling at a very high speed on the **Trans-Canada Highway near Square Pond**.
- Recorded speed (first stop): The vehicle was captured by police radar at 164 km/h in a 100 km/h zone.
- Driver (first stop): A 20-year-old woman from Ontario was identified as the driver.
- Enforcement action (first stop): The driver was issued a speeding ticket and her driver’s licence was suspended as a result of the excessive speed.
- Time & location (second stop): Around 5:15 p.m., the same officer stopped a second vehicle travelling at high speed on the **Trans-Canada Highway near Benton**.
- Recorded speed (second stop): The vehicle was measured at 160 km/h in a 100 km/h zone.
- Driver (second stop): A 21-year-old man from Gander was identified as the driver.
- Enforcement action (second stop): The driver received a speeding ticket, his driver’s licence was suspended, and his vehicle was seized and impounded.
Police emphasize that **RCMP officers** routinely conduct proactive patrols on highways across **Newfoundland and Labrador**. These patrols focus on excessive speed, impaired driving, seatbelt use, and verifying that drivers and vehicles have valid licences, registrations, and insurance.
Drivers are urged to slow down, obey posted limits, remain sober behind the wheel, and make sure all required documents are current. While this particular incident affected central Newfoundland, dangerous driving behaviours are a concern across the country, as highlighted in CrimeCanada.ca’s broader national safety alert data.
CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective
From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, extreme speeding on highways like the **Trans-Canada Highway** in **Newfoundland and Labrador** is a major public safety issue. Travelling at 160+ km/h dramatically reduces reaction time and greatly increases the likelihood that any collision will be severe or fatal. These speeds endanger not only the drivers involved, but also passengers, other motorists, and first responders who must attend collisions.
To support safer communities, we encourage residents to:
- Consistently obey posted speed limits, especially in changing weather or visibility conditions common on the TCH.
- Plan extra time for trips so you are not tempted to speed.
- Report obviously dangerous or erratic driving to police when it is safe to do so, noting location, direction of travel, and vehicle description.
- Ensure your **licence, registration, and insurance** are valid and easily accessible before driving.
CrimeCanada.ca’s mission is to turn official data like this RCMP release into practical, community-focused guidance. By staying informed about enforcement trends and respecting the rules of the road, residents of **Newfoundland and Labrador** can help reduce collisions and keep the Trans-Canada Highway safer for everyone.
Official Source & Community Safety
This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the newfoundland-and-labrador community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.
Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.