Caught in the Act on One of Ottawa's Busiest Highways
Ottawa made headlines this week for the wrong kind of speed record — a driver with no valid licence was stopped by police after being clocked travelling 55 km/h over the posted speed limit on Highway 174, one of the city's main eastern commuter routes.
The stop is a serious one on multiple fronts. Going 55 km/h over the limit already puts a driver into stunt driving territory under Ontario's Highway Traffic Act — a charge that carries automatic vehicle impoundment, an immediate 30-day licence suspension, and fines that can reach into the thousands of dollars. Doing all of that without a valid licence adds another layer of legal jeopardy.
What Stunt Driving Means in Ontario
Under Ontario law, driving 50 km/h or more over the posted limit is classified as stunt driving — sometimes called street racing by police — regardless of traffic conditions or time of day. The consequences are among the harshest in the province's traffic enforcement toolkit:
- Immediate roadside licence suspension of 30 days
- Vehicle impoundment for 14 days
- Fines ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 upon conviction
- Potential jail time of up to two years
- Six demerit points and a licence suspension of one to three years upon conviction
For an unlicensed driver, the situation is compounded — driving without a valid licence is a separate offence that can result in additional fines and a court appearance.
Highway 174: A Known Enforcement Corridor
Highway 174 stretches from downtown Ottawa eastward through Orléans and into the rural communities beyond the Greenbelt. It carries tens of thousands of vehicles daily, and its long straight stretches can tempt some drivers into excessive speeds — particularly during off-peak hours when traffic thins out.
Ottawa Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police conduct regular speed enforcement along the corridor, and incidents like this one are unfortunately not rare. Community members in the east end have long raised concerns about aggressive driving on the 174, particularly near the on and off ramps around Blair Road and Trim Road.
A Reminder for Commuters
This stop serves as a timely reminder for anyone sharing the road on Highway 174 or any other Ottawa highway. Speed limits exist for a reason — and the gap between a high-speed collision and a near miss is often measured in seconds and metres, not minutes.
If you witness dangerous driving in Ottawa, you can report it to Ottawa Police non-emergency at 613-236-1222, or use the OPP's tip line if the incident occurs on a provincial highway.
Source: CTV News Ottawa
