Ottawa's Highway 417 saw a jaw-dropping traffic stop this weekend after Ontario Provincial Police caught a passenger riding in the open trunk of a moving SUV — camera in hand, apparently trying to capture footage of sports cars speeding by.
OPP officers spotted the vehicle on the 417 and pulled it over, charging the driver with stunt driving. The passenger, who had been sitting in the exposed trunk of the SUV while it was in motion on one of the region's busiest highways, was also charged in connection with the incident.
What Is Stunt Driving?
In Ontario, stunt driving covers a wide range of dangerous behaviours beyond just excessive speeding. The Highway Traffic Act defines it broadly to include driving in a way that endangers others — and having a passenger hanging out of an open trunk on a 100 km/h highway absolutely qualifies.
Convictions can result in an immediate roadside licence suspension, vehicle impoundment, hefty fines, and even jail time. It's not a charge drivers want on their record.
A Growing Trend on Ontario Roads
OPP have flagged a troubling rise in dangerous driving stunts across the province, often linked to social media content creation. Car culture communities — particularly those centred on sports cars and street racing — have increasingly used public highways as backdrops for videos, putting themselves and other motorists at serious risk.
This incident appears to fit that pattern. Filming from inside a moving vehicle is risky enough; filming from an open trunk on a major Ottawa-area expressway takes that danger to a completely different level.
Highway 417: No Place for Stunts
The 417 is one of the busiest stretches of highway in the Ottawa region, connecting the west end to downtown and beyond. During weekend hours it sees significant traffic — including families, commuters, and transport trucks — making high-speed antics especially dangerous.
OPP regularly patrol the corridor and have been vocal about cracking down on aggressive and stunt driving, particularly during warmer months when car meets and cruise nights pick up across the region.
What Happens Next
The charged driver faces a court date and the serious consequences that come with a stunt driving conviction in Ontario. Beyond the legal penalties, insurance implications can be severe — stunt driving convictions routinely lead to policy cancellations or skyrocketing premiums.
OPP are reminding all drivers that no video is worth a criminal charge — or a life. If you witness dangerous driving on Ottawa-area roads, you can report it by calling OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or using the online reporting portal.
Source: CBC Ottawa
