Ottawa June 10th – Since launching Operation Overwatch on April 25th the combined efforts of Ottawa Police Frontline and Traffic Services officers resulted in over 1500 Speeding tickets being issued across the city.
This past week (June 1st-8th) we issued a total of 138 Speeding charges, 27 Warnings and four Vehicles were towed for Stunt driving (50+km/h over the posted limit).
On May 27th – This past Monday, Chief Peter Sloly highlighted at the monthly Ottawa Police Services Board meeting that ‘to date, 823 tickets were issued and 36 vehicles were impounded when the drivers were charged for stunt driving. Speeding/dangerous and stunt driving is number one traffic complaint during COVID.’
By the numbers (April 25th to May 20th):
- 823 – Speeding Charges/Provincial Offence Notices (PONs)
- 36 – Stunt Driving/Racing Charges (Part III’s per the Highway Traffic Act)
- 112 – Speeding Warnings
On May 1st, the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) announced that its officers would be focusing on high speed drivers and riders across the City with the launch of Operation Overwatch.
Over the course of the first two weeks of the campaign (April 25th to May 8th), over 582 Provincial Offence Notices (PONs) have been issued for speeding. Multiple vehicles have been seized and their drivers charged with Stunt Driving under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act.
May 1st Media Release
“Our officers are stopping drivers and riders traveling 30km to 50km/hr over the posted speed limit far too often, at a time when we want to minimize the burden for frontline emergency personnel and medical professionals,” says Staff Sergeant Marc-Andre Sheehy, head of the OPS Traffic Services Unit. “For everyone’s safety, speed limits apply no matter the number of vehicles on the roadway. It’s fair to say that any form of Stunt Driving or Street Racing will be dealt with accordingly.”
Operation Overwatch will have frontline officers watching for lead-footed drivers putting themselves and other road users at serious risk.
“It’s not only a safety issue, it’s a quality of life issue. No road user should feel like they’re risking their life on account of a handful of irresponsible drivers ignoring speed limits on our streets day and night,” said Sgt. Craig Roberts, OPS Traffic Case Manager.
In April, 19 drivers were cited for speeding. One driver was clocked at 163 km/hr in a 100 km/hr zone and another was stopped for 112 km/hr in a 60 km/hr zone.
Patrol Officers from the Central, East and West Divisions continue to address all road safety issues, but with an added focus on speeding.
“We need all of our emergency and medical personnel focused on the public health crisis our city is facing rather than further taxing our resources with completely avoidable incidents resulting from Stunt Driving and/or Street Racing,” said Sgt. Mark Gatien of the OPS Traffic Unit. “Don’t wait until you hurt yourself, someone else or get a ticket to adopt safe driving habits. Every time you get behind the wheel, make safe driving your priority.”
Under the Highway Traffic Act, Stunt Driving (+50km/hr over the posted speed limit) lead to licence suspension, vehicle impoundment and a court date. Upon conviction, first-time offending drivers/riders face a minimum $2000 fine.