There’s a rise in people driving without insurance in Ottawa: OPP

Police officers are noticing an uptick in people who are driving vehicles without insurance.

Data shared by Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) notes that in the first four months of the year, officers have laid 157 charges.

“If you can’t afford to properly insure your vehicle, don’t drive it,” police said in a post.

Officials said over the weekend an additional six drivers were charged. They face a minimum fine of $5,000 for operating a vehicle without insurance.

In some recent cases, people have gone to great lengths to avoid police fines or charges.

In March, an OPP officer stopped a vehicle on March Road. As police headed to the window, the driver tried to switch places with the passenger.

The driver, who was not the registered owner, had a G2 licence and was suspended twice before. He is facing charges for using his cell phone while driving, as well as for operating a vehicle while having an expired permit and having no insurance.

Lately police are also raising concerns about people trying to avoid detection by covering or obstructing their licence plates. Using Automatic Licence Plate Recognition (ALPR) police are able to scan plates at a fast rate and crack down on lawbreakers.

From March 31 to April 6, OPP organized an enforcement blitz which saw over 1,148 provincial charges, which included drug, uninsured driver and impaired offences.

Three vehicles, all without insurance, that were driving in Ottawa. (OPP)

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