The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) Traffic Escort & Enforcement Unit conducted a traffic blitz last week leading into the long weekend and issued 76 total charges.
Officers were canvasing the Kanata, Barrhaven and Riverside South areas where 65 provincial offence notices were issues on Friday, Aug. 30.
Of the 65 offences, 29 were for speeding, 11 for improper use of licence plates, five improper mufflers and four for using a phone while driving.
Five speeders were also charged with stunt driving. One person was tagged travelling 86 km/h over the speed limit in a residential area of Barrhaven.
Stunt driving incidents during blitz
- 147 km/h in an 80 km/h zone – Robertson Road / Haanel Drive
- 142 km/h in a 70 km/h zone – Terry Fox Drive / Richardson Side Road
- 110 km/h in a 60 km/h zone – Fallowfield Road / Orr Street
- 106 km/h in a 60 km/h zone – Strandherd Drive / RioCan Avenue
- 146 km/h in a 60 km/h zone – Strandherd Drive / RioCan Avenue
The last driver who went 146 km/h was previously charged with stunt driving, making this their second offence of the like within three years.
All of the above stunt drivers had their licence suspended for 30 days, vehicles impounded for two weeks and will appear in court.
In a release, police are reminding drivers that stunt driving charges “may result in a fine of $2000 – $10000, six demerit points, a possible six months in jail, and a further one-year to three-year licence suspension.”
Stunt driving is an ongoing issue in Ottawa
Just last week on Aug. 30, a 19-year-old had their father’s car impounded after getting caught driving 137 km/h in an 80 km/h zone. They were charged with stunt driving.
Earlier in August, another 19-year-old was caught driving nearly 200 km/h on HWY 417.
According to Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), data shows in 2023 officers laid 92 stunt charges. As of June 12 of this year, police told CityNews Ottawa there have been 81 stunt charges handed out.
“I don’t want to say for sure that COVID started it, because it’s always kind of been there, but we’ve definitely seen increasing numbers over the years,” Michael Fathi, media relations officer with OPP Ottawa detachment, said.
Police are surprised to note the number of young people being charged with stunt driving.
“It’s also surprising given the penalties for stunt racing,” Fathi said. “You’re fined, you’re paying a reinstatement fee from the Ministry of Ontario to get your license back, you’re paying tow costs and impound fees, and your insurance is going to skyrocket.”
The rise of speeding well over the limit is not new to police. Fathi said in Ottawa, like other parts of Ontario, there are groups that get together and race down highways.
OPP are patrolling highways and making sure they are visible, which Fathi said tends to slow drivers down.
“We are doing everything that we have within our powers,” he said.
With files from Natasha O’Neill.