Driver cruising 86 km/h over limit just one of many caught in single-night traffic blitz

The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) Traffic Escort and Enforcement Unit conducted a traffic blitz last week leading into the long weekend and issued 76 total charges.

On Friday, Aug. 30, officers canvassed the Kanata, Barrhaven, and Riverside South areas, where 65 provincial offence notices were issued.

Of the 65 offences, 29 were for speeding, 11 for improper use of licence plates, five for 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 licences suspended for 30 days, their vehicles impounded for two weeks, and they will appear in court.

In a release, police reminded drivers that stunt driving charges “may result in a fine of $2,000 – $10,000, 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), 2023 data shows officers laid 92 stunt charges. As of June 12, 2024, police told CityNews Ottawa that 81 stunt driving charges have been 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,” said Michael Fathi, media relations officer with the OPP Ottawa detachment.

“It’s also surprising, given the penalties for stunt racing,” Fathi said. “You’re fined, paying a reinstatement fee from the Ministry of Ontario to get your license back, 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, some groups race down highways together.

OPP officers patrol highways and ensure 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.