Ottawa police are sending a clear message to drivers: slow down near schools.
Ottawa officers recently stopped two vehicles for speeding in a designated school zone, with one of the drivers also found not wearing a seatbelt. While the incidents may sound routine, they highlight an ongoing enforcement push to protect children and pedestrians in high-risk areas around the city's schools.
School Zones: Why the Rules Matter
School zones in Ottawa have reduced speed limits — typically 40 km/h or lower — during specific hours when children are arriving or leaving school. These restrictions exist for good reason: a pedestrian struck at 50 km/h is far more likely to suffer fatal injuries than one hit at 30 km/h. With kids darting between parked cars or crossing mid-block, the margin for error is razor thin.
Ottawa Police Service regularly conducts targeted enforcement in school zones, and these two stops appear to be part of that ongoing effort. Officers are empowered to issue fines for speeding in school zones that are significantly higher than standard speeding tickets — and demerit points apply too.
The Seatbelt Issue
One of the two drivers stopped was also found not wearing a seatbelt, compounding the traffic violations. In Ontario, failing to wear a seatbelt carries a fine of $240 to $1,000 plus two demerit points. It's a simple habit that saves lives — and one police take seriously.
The combination of speeding and no seatbelt is a red flag for officers, as it suggests a driver who may be taking multiple risks behind the wheel simultaneously.
A Reminder for Ottawa Drivers
With spring underway and more children outside and walking to school, Ottawa drivers are urged to:
- Slow down well before entering a school zone, not just at the sign
- Watch for crossing guards and obey their signals
- Avoid distractions — put the phone down, especially in residential areas
- Always wear your seatbelt — every trip, every time
Ottawa Police also encourage residents to report aggressive or dangerous driving near schools through their non-emergency line or online reporting tools.
Enforcement Is Active
If you think you can speed through a school zone unnoticed, think again. Ottawa Police have made it clear that school zone enforcement is a priority, particularly during morning drop-off and afternoon pickup windows. Photo radar is also deployed in select school zones across the city, meaning you don't even need a police cruiser nearby to receive a ticket.
The two stops this week are a small but visible reminder that the rules around school safety aren't suggestions — they're the law.
Drive safe, Ottawa.
Source: CityNews Ottawa via Google News
