Police charge 23-year-old driver with second stunt driving offence in 5 months

Ottawa police caught a driver going 176 km/h on Highway 416 in Ottawa during a traffic enforcement initiative over the weekend. (OPS/X)

Three drivers were among over two dozen motorists who are facing charges and fines after a police traffic enforcement initiative over the weekend.

The Ottawa Police Service says officers monitored several areas around the city last Friday as part of an ongoing effort to address illegal car gatherings, stunt driving and other high-risk driving behaviours.

A 21-year-old man was stopped and charged with stunt driving on Highway 416 south at Fallowfield Road travelling at 176 km/h in a 100 km/h zone. The vehicle belonged to a passenger in the vehicle, police say.

Officers charged a 23-year-old man on Riverside Drive and Old Riverside Drive travelling at 108 km/h in the 60 km/h zone, the second time in five months he has been charged with stunt driving, police say.

Another 24-year-old man was stopped and charged with stunt driving in the same area after speeding to 122 km/h, 62 km/h over the speed limit.

On Saturday, Ontario Provincial Police caught a motorcycle rider going 193 km/h where the speed limit is 100 km/h on Highway 417.

Another 23 drivers were charged with various offences, including speeding (8), disobeying signs (2), driving while using a hand-held communication device (2), failing to stop for a red light (1), driving with no licence (1), not properly wearing a seatbelt (1), plates not plainly visible (1), unnecessary noise (1) and document-related charges (3).

“The OPS continues to remind drivers that stunt driving, excessive speed, racing and dangerous driving behaviours put everyone at risk,” police said in a news release.

Stunt driving charges come with an automatic 30 day licence suspension and a 14 day vehicle impound. They could face fines of $2,000 to $10,000, a further 1-to-3-year licence suspension, and a possible six months in jail, upon conviction.

Police say enforcement of high-risk driving activities will continue through the summer.

• Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App