OPP cracks down on stunt drivers south of Ottawa
40 drivers charged in one month for excessive speeding and dangerous driving on Highway 417 and rural roads.
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Ontario Provincial Police have pulled over 40 drivers for stunt driving since May 1, targeting the southern portion of Highway 417 and rural roadways where officers say dangerous speeds are becoming routine.
One driver was clocked going 91 km/h in a 40 km/h zone during school hours. Others were caught doing 60 and 50 km/h over the limit in a 60 km/h zone, and speeds of 191 km/h and 179 km/h on the highway.
Each driver faces an immediate roadside licence suspension, a 14-day vehicle impound, and a minimum $2,000 fine if convicted — penalties that can increase significantly depending on circumstances.
Philip Kane, OPS's street racing and stunt driving enforcement coordinator, said officers often encounter repeat offenders with histories of charges from other jurisdictions like Toronto or Halton. What frustrates police is that stunt driving charges frequently get pleaded down to speeding in court, which carries lesser penalties and no licence suspension or vehicle impound.
Kane said he adds notes to reports when a driver has been previously charged with stunt driving but not convicted, to flag the pattern for prosecutors. "Stunt driving remains a significant road safety issue, placing all road users at risk," officials said.