Ottawa-area Ontario Provincial Police have seen some bold driving moves, but a recent stop on a local highway had officers reaching for both a speeding ticket and an HOV violation slip at the same time.
A driver was clocked at 156 km/h while travelling solo in a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane — a lane legally reserved for vehicles carrying two or more occupants. The stop resulted in charges for both stunt driving and improper use of the HOV lane.
Double Trouble on the Highway
HOV lanes exist to encourage carpooling and ease congestion during peak hours. Using one as a solo driver is already a ticketable offence in Ontario — but doing it at nearly 60 km/h over the posted limit takes things to a whole different level.
OPP didn't hold back in their commentary on the stop. "It's probably not a good idea to drive at speeds that attract attention," officers noted — a dry understatement that's already making the rounds online.
Under Ontario's stunt driving laws, a driver caught going 40 km/h or more over the speed limit faces immediate roadside consequences: a seven-day licence suspension, a seven-day vehicle impoundment, and a court date. Convictions can carry fines of $2,000 to $10,000, up to six demerit points, and a licence suspension of up to two years.
HOV Lanes: Not a Loophole
For drivers who aren't clear on the rules: HOV lanes in the Ottawa region and across Ontario require a minimum of two occupants in the vehicle during the hours posted on signage. Violators face a fine of $110. Stack that on top of a stunt driving charge and you're looking at a very expensive commute.
The lanes are meant to reward carpooling by offering a faster, less congested route — not to serve as a personal express lane for impatient solo drivers.
A Reminder for Ottawa Commuters
With warmer weather bringing more vehicles back onto Ottawa's highways and the Queensway regularly hitting peak congestion, OPP have ramped up patrols. Officers have been vocal about cracking down on aggressive driving, including tailgating, unsafe lane changes, and — clearly — triple-digit speeds in HOV lanes.
If you're sharing the road this spring, the message from OPP is simple: slow down, follow the lane rules, and maybe bring a passenger if you want to use that HOV lane.
The driver's identity has not been released. The case will proceed through the courts.
Source: Ottawa Citizen / OPP. Original report
