OTTAWA – The Ottawa police handed out close to 25 speeding tickets a day during the first month of Operation Overwatch.

The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) continues to focus on high speed drivers across the city with Operation Overwatch, with 971 speeding-related traffic stops made during the first month of the project.

This past Monday (May 25), OPS 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 the number one traffic complaint during COVID-19.”

By the numbers (April 25 to May 20):

• 823 – Speeding Charges/Provincial Offence Notices (PONs)
• 36 – Stunt Driving/Racing Charges (Part III’s per the Highway Traffic Act)
• 112 – Speeding Warnings

“We will continue our traffic enforcement efforts and raise awareness with those who display dangerous driving behaviour,” head of the OPS Traffic Services Unit Staff Sgt. Marc-Andre Sheehy. “High speed collisions and the undue burden they create for our health care professionals are totally avoidable. Please respect speed limits and keep everyone safe.”

“The vast majority of road users in Ottawa get it. Unfortunately, we’re still inundated with public complaints about high speeds, street racing and unnecessary noise that comes with irresponsible road use,” OPS traffic case manager Sgt. Craig Roberts said. “Our officers will continue to focus on high flyers, stunt drivers and street racers over the coming weeks until the message becomes loud and clear for the problematic minority of drivers and riders.”