Ottawa's roads got a jarring reminder this week of just how fast some drivers are willing to push it, after police stopped a vehicle clocked at a staggering 112 km/h over the posted speed limit.
What Happened
According to CTV News, Ottawa police pulled over a driver after registering the extreme speed on one of the city's roads. Under Ontario's stunt driving and street racing regulations, any driver caught going 40 km/h or more over the limit on roads posted below 80 km/h, or 50 km/h or more over on roads posted at 80 km/h or higher, faces an automatic stunt driving charge. Clocking in at 112 km/h over the limit puts this stop well beyond that threshold, making it one of the more extreme speeding cases Ottawa police have flagged recently.
Why This Matters for Ottawa Drivers
Ottawa has seen a steady stream of stunt driving enforcement over the past few years as police lean on tools like automated speed cameras and targeted patrols to crack down on dangerous driving, particularly on arterial roads and stretches of highway that cut through the city. For Ottawa residents, incidents like this are a stark reminder that the city's mix of wide suburban roads, rural stretches near the greenbelt, and connector highways can tempt some drivers into treating them like a racetrack — with serious consequences for anyone else on the road.
Ontario's stunt driving penalties are steep by design. A conviction can mean an immediate roadside licence suspension, on-the-spot vehicle impoundment, and fines that can run into the thousands of dollars, on top of demerit points and a criminal record risk for repeat offenders. The province toughened these rules specifically to target the kind of extreme speeding seen in this Ottawa case, aiming to get dangerous vehicles off the road before they cause a collision.
A City-Wide Enforcement Push
Ottawa police have repeatedly flagged speeding and stunt driving as a persistent safety issue, especially on roads like Carling Avenue, the Airport Parkway, and rural routes in the city's outer wards where wide-open stretches can encourage drivers to speed. Community groups and city councillors have also pushed for more traffic calming measures, including speed humps, lower default limits in residential zones, and expanded automated enforcement, in response to resident complaints about reckless driving.
This latest stop adds to that ongoing conversation. For a city that has invested heavily in road safety initiatives like Vision Zero, cases where drivers are caught going more than double the posted limit underscore why enforcement remains a priority for Ottawa police heading into the busier summer driving season.
What Drivers Should Know
If you're behind the wheel in Ottawa, it's worth remembering just how quickly a speeding ticket can escalate into a stunt driving charge. The 40/50 km/h-over thresholds apply province-wide, but Ottawa's mix of road types means drivers can cross that line faster than they might expect, particularly on roads where speed limits drop suddenly near schools, parks, or residential areas.
Anyone convicted faces not just fines and a suspension, but also a lasting mark on their driving record — a steep price for a few extra minutes saved on the commute.
Source: CTV News
