Ottawa police officers were busy on the roads this past weekend cracking down on speeding and dangerous driving behaviours. Police have been stepping up enforcement actions against dangerous driving in recent weeks as Ottawa records its deadliest year on the roads in more than a decade. The city recorded 32 traffic-related fatalities resulting from 23 fatal collisions in 2026, according to police. A weekend traffic enforcement in the west end led to 101 fines, including 88 for speeding. Other charges were issued for driving with a cellphone, failing to display plates, not holding a valid driver’s licence and failing to stop for a red light. “This enforcement initiative comes at a critical time for road safety in Ottawa,” Ottawa police say. “Excessive speed continues to be one of the leading contributing factors in serious and fatal collisions. The weekend enforcement results reinforce this concern, with 88 speeding charges accounting for 87 per cent of all charges laid during the blitz.” Another traffic blitz in the south end between Nov. 3 to 5 resulted in 248 charges for a variety of offences, including stunt driving. It included 59 charges for speeding, along with two additional charges for speeding in a community safety zone. Officers also issued charges for various licensing, permit and insurance violations, as well as offences involving improperly secured passengers, open liquor and cannabis in vehicles. Police say they continue to see serious and fatal collisions linked to excessive speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, aggressive driving behaviours, failure to obey traffic control devices and reduced adherence to pedestrian and school crossing safety. “These results demonstrate that dangerous driving behaviours continue to be a significant concern on our roadways. Through data-led enforcement, we are focusing our efforts where the risk to public safety is greatest,” said Ottawa police Sgt. Stephane Fournier of the west district traffic unit. “While enforcement is an important tool, our ultimate goal is voluntary compliance and preventing serious injury and loss of life. Every traffic stop is an opportunity to change behaviour before a tragedy occurs.” Seven drivers charged for stunt driving Seven drivers were charged with stunt driving and being caught travelling at excessive speeds last week. On Nov. 3, officers stopped two drivers on Piperville Road travelling at 105 km/h and 112 km/h in the posted 60 km/h zone. The following day, three more drivers were charged, including one travelling at 156 km/h in an 80 km/h zone on Fallowfield Road. Another was caught going at 103 km/h in a 60 km/h zone on Piperville Road. The third was stopped after being clocked speeding to 110 km/h in a 60 km/h zone near Hall Road and Thunder Road. On Nov. 5, officers charged a driver going 142 km/h in an 80 km/h zone on Rideau Valley Drive North and another travelling 114 km/h in a 70 km/h zone near Strandherd Drive and the Transitway. According to Ontario Provincial Police, a 23-year-old man was stopped on Highway 417 near Moodie Drive for travelling at 200 km/h. Under Ontario law, drivers caught travelling more than 40 km/h where the speed limit is less than 80 km/h, or 50 km/h in zones where there is a limit of 80 km/h or higher face an immediate 14-day licence suspension and a 30-day vehicle impound, along with significant fines and further suspensions upon conviction.
