Many charges laid for people using phones, and a laptop, while driving
Posted May 21, 2026 01:50:54 PM.
Last Updated May 21, 2026 01:52:55 PM.
Provincial police charged 23 people after catching them using their phones while driving on highways across Ottawa.
In one egregious instance, police detailed that a driver was using his laptop while he drove. On May 20, during the traffic enforcement push, several people were caught by police for using and touching their phones from behind the wheel, some of whom officers shared the photos of. A total of 56 charges were laid for various issues, including distracted driving, speeding and a suspended driver.
Officials also said they laid a seat belt violation to two people with children in the vehicle. In one incident, police said that a passenger was holding a baby on their lap.
Other drivers were also issued 21 warnings from police.
In Ontario, a driver using a phone is four times more likely to crash than a driver focusing on the road, according to the province’s website. This results in one person being injured in distracted driving every half an hour.
It also comes after police conducted multiple enforcement across the province during road safety week, which is the unofficial start of summertime driving in Ontario.
Throughout the program, OPP joined forces with Ottawa police and laid 77 charges between May 15 and 19.
“The operation focused on high-risk driving behaviours, including excessive speeding, stunt driving, impaired driving, distracted driving, and unsafe vehicle modifications,” the press release reads. “Officers also monitored several known vehicle gathering locations throughout the evening.”
Charges included improper mufflers, running red lights, careless driving, obstructed licence plates, distracted driving and unlicensed drivers.
Several stunt drivers were also caught travelling at excessive speeds by police:
- 112 km/h in a 60 km/h zone on Greenbank Road
- 137 km/h in an 80 km/h zone on Greenbank Road
- 150 km/h in a 100 km/h on Highway 417 near Kanata Avenue
- 152 km/h in a 100 km/h on Highway 416 near West Hunt Club
- 162 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on Highway 417 near Eagleson Road
- 163 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on Highway 417 near Riverside Drive
“Drivers are reminded that stunt driving, impaired driving, distracted driving, and aggressive driving carry significant penalties and can have devastating consequences,” officials said.
