On general deterrence

2010:
Amendments to the Highway Traffic Act will enhance enforcement against impaired driving, speeding in school zones and distracted driving. Bill 27 is now before the House of Assembly as part of the Provincial Government’s on-going commitment to raising awareness of unsafe driving habits and preventing vehicle collisions and injuries on the province’s roadways.

“Enhanced enforcement will act as a deterrent against impaired driving, by increasing the likelihood of detection by authorities and raising the penalties for offences,” said the Honourable Felix Collins, Minister of Justice and Attorney General. “These legislative changes will enable the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to further protect the public from impaired drivers. Both police forces will be in a better position to identify and deal with impaired drivers whose actions continue to be a serious concern for this province, despite the widespread opinion that drinking or taking drugs and then driving is just not acceptable.”

2012:

Through changes to the Buildings Accessibility Regulations and the Designated Impaired Mobility Regulations, Service NL is increasing the fines for illegally parking in blue zone parking spaces. In addition, these changes will strengthen the requirement that signs identifying spaces designated for persons with physical disabilities be clearly identified, permanent and kept in good repair.

“The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador takes these types of violations very seriously,” said the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister of Service NL. “As a result of our review of the regulations, we have more than doubled fines in an effort to create a greater deterrent against illegal parking by those who are not entitled to park in these spaces. With these new fines in place, law enforcement officials will have a much stronger tool to use when targeting these offenders.”

2013:

“From my perspective it’s a far stretch to even remotely suggest that this act, or any other particular piece of legislation, could have stopped a crime or deterred behaviour,” [Darin King] said. “It’s really hard to combat crime when people want to be criminals.”