G2 driver attempts to switch places with passenger; multiple charges laid

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Ottawa detachment pulled over a vehicle on March Road, following a notification indicating the registered owner was an unlicensed driver.

OPP discovered that the driver — who was not the registered owner — had a G2 licence and had been suspended twice over, they noted in an X post on March 13. According to police, once OPP pulled over the vehicle, the driver tried to switch places with the passenger.

He is facing charges for using his cell phone while driving, as well as for operating a vehicle while having an expired permit, added police.

In addition to these charges, the vehicle was impounded for seven days.

This comes as police across the Ottawa area laid a total of 64 charges and 19 written warnings over the weekend.

Charges included:

• Speeding: 58
• Stunt driving: 1
• Fail to move over for emergency vehicle: 2
• No insurance: 1
• Drive vehicle, no currently validated permit: 1
• Fail to surrender insurance card: 1

Last week, two drivers were stopped after passing police cruisers while on their phones.

The incidents occurred during a slowdown on Highway 417, related to a dump truck that lost its load and caused damage to the Lees Avenue overpass.  According to OPP, officers saw two separate drivers pass them while using their phones.

Both drivers were issued a $615 ticket and they are facing a three-day driving suspension upon conviction.

In recent months, police have addressed several instances of people using their phones while driving.

OPP are reminding drivers to “leave the phone alone” and prioritize safe driving.

“It is a law for a reason,” the force said. “Help us keep Ontario roads safe – put the phone away.”