Ottawa Police Service (OPS) launched a late night traffic enforcement blitz on June 21 and in one evening laid 94 charges, new data shows.
The Residents Matter initiative launched in Barrhaven with officers targeting “late-night high-complaint” areas around the neighbourhood.
“The negative impact of high-risk, disruptive behaviour on our city streets cannot be understated,” Sergeant Craig Roberts, OPS District Traffic Manager, said in a press release. “Residents have spoken, and we’ve been listening; in forming the Residents Matter Enforcement Team (RMET), our intention is to provide a robust enforcement presence in the evening hours throughout the summer.”
On the first night police laid charges for:
- 28 speeding
- 12 no muffler or improper mufflers
- Nine obstructed licence plates
- 10 invalid permits
- 10 failure to display two licence plates
- Two unlicensed drivers
Police said in one six hour period, seven drivers were issued charges and fines for stunt driving and/or street racing. Those caught also had their vehicles impounded for 14 days, licences suspended for 30 days and face a minimum 1-year driver’s licence suspension upon conviction.
Police said they caught drivers going:
- 114km/h in 60km/h zone – Greenbank Road / Malvern Drive
- 145km/h in 80km/h zone – Woodroffe Avenue / Fallowfield Road
- 121km/h in 80km/h zone – Strandherd Drive / Madrid Avenue
- 154km/h in 80km/h zone – Woodroffe Avenue / Grenfell Crescent
A member of the public notified officers of three vehicles racing down Greenbank Road and West Hunt Club road, which resulted in police intercepting them and charging each of the drivers.
Traffic complaints can be filed online at: ottawapolice.ca/report.