Why police are cracking down on car meets in Ottawa parking lots
A divide between genuine car enthusiasts and those using meets for street racing has prompted Ottawa police to regularly monitor gatherings and work with organizers on safety.
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Ottawa police have intensified enforcement at car meets in recent months, citing a sharp rise in stunt driving and street racing tied to unsanctioned gatherings. This year, 286 stunt-driving tickets were issued as of May 20 — a 23 per cent jump from the same period in 2025.
A divide has emerged within the local car community. Genuine enthusiasts gather to showcase vehicles and socialize, while others use meets to street race, do burnouts, and modify exhausts illegally. Car influencer Been Alarcon acknowledged the problem: "A lot of new faces" are showing up purely for noise-making and illegal driving, he said.
Barrhaven has emerged as a hot spot for both car meets and stunt driving, particularly near Greenbank and Strandherd roads. The area's proximity to Highway 416, food vendors, and long straight arterial roads make it attractive for illegal racing.
Sgt. Josh Callaghan of the Ottawa police road safety unit said officers are regularly monitoring meets and educating organizers about liability and risk. Common offences include unnecessary noise, improper mufflers, heavily tinted windows, and illegal street racing. On June 5 alone, police handed out dozens of charges at unauthorized gatherings on Merivale Road and at Train Yards.
Under Ontario law, stunt driving includes driving 40 km/h or more over the speed limit on roads with limits under 80 km/h, preventing other vehicles from passing, cutting off another vehicle, or driving too close. Street racing is defined as two or more vehicles driving in a way indicating competition or chasing.
Authorized car meets require permission from the property owner beforehand. Many organizers approach a business on the property instead, not realizing the business isn't the actual owner. Police issue trespass notices when meets are unauthorized.
Some organizers are now hosting authorized daytime events with registration requirements and additional programming — like basketball tournaments and local vendor booths — to attract the right crowd and exclude those seeking illegal racing.
The facts
How many stunt-driving tickets did Ottawa police issue this year?
Ottawa police issued 286 stunt-driving tickets as of May 20, 2026 — a 23 per cent increase compared to the same date in 2025.
Where in Ottawa are car meets and stunt driving most common?
Barrhaven has emerged as a hot spot for car meets and stunt driving, particularly near Greenbank and Strandherd roads, due to its proximity to Highway 416, food vendors, and long straight arterial roads.
What charges did Ottawa police lay on June 5?
On June 5, 2026, Ottawa police handed out dozens of charges at unauthorized gatherings on Merivale Road and at Train Yards for offences including unnecessary noise, improper mufflers, heavily tinted windows, and illegal street racing.
What do authorized car meets require?
Authorized car meets in Ottawa require permission from the property owner beforehand; many organizers mistakenly ask the business on the property instead of the actual owner, which leads to police issuing trespass notices.
