The Ottawa Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police are charging five drivers with stunt driving on Highway 417, including a G1 and G2 driver, said OPP East Region in a post on X.
According to OPP, the G1 driver’s license was already suspended when they were caught stunt driving over the weekend.
Additionally, OPP issued the G1 driver multiple charges for violation related to the G1 class license.
OPP recorded speeds of 153, 163, 170, 159, and 164km/h along Highway 417, they wrote on X.
OPP have reported a rise in stunt driving charges this year, compared with data from 2023.
As of June, OPP noted that police almost laid the same number of stunt driving charges in Ottawa as they did in all of 2023.
While data shows officers laid 92 stunt charges in 2023, as of June 12, there have been 81 stunt charges issued, said OPP.
A stunt driving charge is issued for vehicles travelling more than 50 km/h over the posted speed limit, and it can also be handed out street racing, passing illegally and driving with a person in the trunk.
Stunt driving also includes other dangerous driving habits — including spinning tires and doing donuts, said Michael Fathi, media relations officer with OPP Ottawa detachment.
Passing another vehicle on a two-lane highway unsafely can also result in a stunt driving charge, he added.
All five motorists are facing roadside 30-day driving suspensions and 14-day vehicle impounds.
Additionally, drivers received a minimum $2,000 fine, six demerit points, and a one year driving suspension upon conviction.