A three-day traffic enforcement blitz in south Ottawa ended with 248 charges against drivers, including seven stunt driving offences for people caught travelling at speeds as high as 142 km/h in an 80 km/h zone.
Officers with the Ottawa Police Service South District ran the blitz from November 3 to 5, targeting speeding, stop sign violations, distracted driving and other unsafe driving behaviours across the south end of the city, according to the Ottawa Police Service.
Stunt driving charges made up some of the most serious findings. On November 3, officers stopped two drivers on Piperville Road going 105 km/h and 112 km/h in a posted 60 km/h zone.
Three more drivers were charged with stunt driving on November 4, followed by two more on November 5. One of those was travelling 142 km/h on Rideau Valley Drive North, where the limit is 80 km/h, while the other was clocked at 114 km/h in a 70 km/h zone near Strandherd Drive and the Transitway.
Under Ontario's stunt driving legislation, drivers caught going 40 km/h or more over the limit in zones under 80 km/h — or 50 km/h or more over in zones of 80 km/h or higher — face an immediate roadside licence suspension and vehicle impoundment, along with significant fines and other penalties upon conviction.
The remaining charges covered a wide range of violations. Police said officers issued dozens of charges for dangerous driving behaviours, along with charges for licensing, permit and insurance violations, improperly secured passengers, and open liquor and cannabis found in vehicles.
One driver was also charged for failing to move over for an emergency vehicle or tow truck.
The police service reminded drivers that speeding, distracted driving and disobeying traffic signs can have devastating consequences, and urged people to slow down, put their phones away and obey posted signs.
Similar enforcement initiatives will continue across Ottawa, with police saying the focus will remain on dangerous driving and responding to community concerns. Residents are encouraged to report ongoing traffic issues in their neighbourhoods so police can identify where extra enforcement is needed.
Police also asked residents to register their security camera locations at CAMSafe.ca to support investigations, and pointed to the Community Safety Data portal at data.ottawapolice.ca, where the public can view and download police data.
