Ottawa police say an out-of-province driver has had their vehicle impounded after being caught driving at a dangerously high speed on Highway 417 with their spouse and three children in the vehicle.
According to the Ottawa Police Service’s Traffic Escort and Enforcement Unit, officers spotted the vehicle travelling at 165 km/h near Boundary Road on Sunday. The posted speed limit in the area is 110 km/h.
Police stressed the extreme risks of such behaviour, noting, “Driving with your spouse and three children demands extra care and attention, for obvious reasons.”
This was not the only incident of excessive speeding over the weekend. On Saturday, the same traffic unit caught another driver going 136 km/h on Highway 174 near Trim Road. The speed limit in that section is 80 km/h, and it is currently a construction zone, which makes high speeds even more dangerous.
Authorities say these incidents highlight their continued focus on cracking down on aggressive driving and speeding in Ottawa.
Stunt Driving Penalties in Ontario
Under Ontario law, driving 40 km/h or more above the speed limit in zones under 80 km/h, or 50 km/h or more above the limit in zones of 80 km/h or higher, can result in a stunt driving charge.
For those charged, the consequences are immediate:
- A 30-day roadside driver’s licence suspension
- A 14-day vehicle impoundment
If convicted, penalties can include:
- A minimum $2,000 fine (and up to $10,000)
- Six demerit points
- An additional licence suspension of up to one year
- Possible jail time of up to six months
Police are reminding all drivers that speed limits are in place for safety, especially when travelling with passengers — and even more so when children are in the vehicle. Excessive speeding dramatically increases the risk of serious or fatal collisions.
