Driver attracted police attention going 156 km/h in HOV lane — alone
Posted May 8, 2026 12:28:20 PM.
Last Updated May 8, 2026 12:28:25 PM.
An Ottawa driver is facing a slew of charges after provincial police clocked them driving well above the speed limit in a designated lane.
“If you plan to drive alone in the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane, it’s probably not a good idea to drive speeds that attract attention,” officials said in a post online.
The incident happened on Highway 417 near Moodie Drive. The officer spotted the truck going 156 km/h in the HOV lane, “trying to beat rush hour traffic.”
According to police, they pulled over the driver and suspended his licence for 30 days, had his vehicle impounded and he is facing a $2,000 fine, six demerit points and a year-long driving ban if convicted.
Officials often receive “many complaints” from the public for vehicles not using the lanes properly.
Off-peak HOV lanes a possibility
In March, the province proposed a major change that would allow single‑occupant vehicles to use HOV lanes during off‑peak hours — a shift officials say will reduce congestion and make better use of existing road space.
Peak periods — the busiest weekday morning and evening commutes — would remain restricted, the government said.
The regulatory amendment, announced by the province, would update the Highway Traffic Act to open HOV lanes to all drivers outside the busiest morning and evening commute periods. The change would take effect before the end of 2026, pending public consultation.
The province says 72 per cent of vehicles on Ontario highways in 2022 were single‑occupant. Officials argue that opening HOV lanes during quieter periods will maximize the value of infrastructure already in place.
With files from Lucas Casaletto, CityNews.
