Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) presented its annual awards this month to police officers in this province who do an outstanding job catching people who drive while impaired, or distracted on their phones. Among the Nick Coates award recipients was Constable Gina King, right, of the RCMP’s Holyrood detachment. Joining her for the presentation were, from left: Terry Coates and his wife Patricia Hynes-Coates, Shayla Morag Steeves who is MADD’s Regional Manager for Atlantic Canada, and Superintendent Keith MacKinnon. Other outstanding officers from The Shoreline’s coverage area who received awards this year included Constable Janet Reddy of Holyrood detachment, and Constable Mackenzie McCoy of Harbour Grace detachment. Altogether, seven RCMP officers who were inducted into the 2024-2025 Nick Coates Impaired Driving Team by MADD Canada, along with a number of Royal Newfoundland Constabulary officers. Nick Coates’ Team is a program that recognizes dedicated RCMP and RNC police officers throughout Newfoundland and Labrador who diligently work to reduce the number of drivers on the road impaired by alcohol or drugs. The team is named for Nicholas Coates of CBS, who was killed by an alcohol-impaired driver in St. John’s in 2013. “Each year, the actions of impaired drivers result in serious injuries and deaths for those who chose to drive while impaired and innocent victims who share the roadway,” said Assistant Commissioner Pat Cahill. “These tragedies, which are entirely preventable, cause extreme, lasting and far-reaching devastation to individuals, families and communities throughout our province. I commend our seven police officers — as well as the officers recognized from the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary — for their tireless efforts to maintain roadway safety. Each stop and every arrest made represents potential lives saved.”
