Ottawa police hand out 39 tickets, charges in joint-OPP crackdown on illegal car gatherings

An Ottawa Police Service patch is seen on an officer's uniform in Ottawa on Friday, March 7, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Ottawa police say dozens of charges and tickets were laid during an enforcement initiative targeting illegal car gatherings and aggressive driving Friday evening.

Officers from the Ottawa Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police were sent to several locations around the city where property owners had alerted them of unauthorized car meets after concerns over mischief, property damage, criminal activity and dangerous driving.

Police announced in a news release on Sunday that 30 fines were issued and nine people will face mandatory court appearances. Two vehicles were also impounded

A motorcyclist was caught doing 151 km/h in the 100 km/h zone on Highway 417 near Huntmar Drive. The rider was charged with stunt driving and speeding.

Another driver was caught on the highway near Moodie Drive for going 57 km/h over the speed limit. They were also charged with speeding and stunt driving.

Both individuals had their licences suspended for 30 days and vehicles impounded for 14 days.

Police also apprehended a suspended driver with an expired licence plate and an uninsured vehicle on Catherine Street. The driver was charged with driving while suspended, operating a vehicle without insurance and not having a valid permit.

Another driver without insurance and expired plates was caught on Kent Street.

The fines were handed out for various violations, including speeding, unsafe lane changes, driving while using a handheld device, failing to stop at traffic lights and several other equipment and document infractions.

Police have been stepping up enforcement of illegal car gatherings that can sometimes attract hundreds of people.

An unauthorized car meet was broken up in Kanata last week where approximately 75 people attended. In April, police issued 75 tickets at a car meet at Train Yards.

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