A year after the inauguration of the new RCMP detachment in the Queen District, RCMP officials report an uptick in the number of tickets issued in the Cornwall region. Cpl. Gavin Moore, the media liaison for P.E.I. RCMP, highlighted that speeding plays a significant role in fatal accidents in the province. In an effort to enhance road safety, officers have been focusing on addressing speeding violations in Cornwall, resulting in a surge in ticket issuance over the past year.
Moore emphasized the impact of having the new detachment in Cornwall, stating that officers are promptly deployed to their designated patrol areas with high traffic volumes to effectively address speeding issues in the community. The 23,626-square-foot Cornwall detachment, which commenced operations in May 2025, serves as the operational headquarters for the Queens County RCMP, relocating from their previous site on Maypoint Road after more than two decades.
Recent data from July revealed an increase in instances of dangerous vehicle operation, impaired driving by alcohol, and driving while disqualified in Cornwall compared to the previous year. Cornwall Councilor Corey Frizzell acknowledged the heightened police presence in the community due to the new detachment, noting that dangerous and impaired driving have been persistent concerns among residents. Frizzell expressed satisfaction in seeing these issues being actively addressed now, indicating that the enforcement efforts should have been at current levels for a while.
While town officials engage with the RCMP regularly, Frizzell clarified that Cornwall does not dictate the enforcement priorities of the police force. He mentioned the collaborative nature of their partnership, where recommendations can be made to review speed limits and other safety measures for the benefit of the community.
Moore reiterated the dangers of speeding, emphasizing that higher speeds require longer stopping distances and increase the severity of collisions. Slowing down, Moore stressed, significantly enhances overall safety on the roads by providing drivers with more reaction time to avoid accidents and mitigate potential damages.