FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, May 27, 2020 12:00pm
(Ottawa) – The Ottawa Police continues to focus on high speed drivers and riders across the City with Operation Overwatch, with 971 speeding-related traffic stops made during the first month of the project.
This past Monday, Chief Peter Sloly highlighted at the monthly Ottawa Police Services Board meeting that ‘to date, 823 tickets were issued and 36 vehicles were impounded when the drivers were charged for stunt driving. Speeding/dangerous and stunt driving is number one traffic complaint during COVID.’
By the numbers (April 25th to May 20th):
- 823 - Speeding Charges/Provincial Offence Notices (PONs)
- 36 - Stunt Driving/Racing Charges (Part III’s per the Highway Traffic Act)
- 112 - Speeding Warnings
“We will continue our traffic enforcement efforts and raise awareness with those who display dangerous driving behaviour,” Staff Sergeant Marc-Andre Sheehy, head of the OPS Traffic Services Unit. “High speed collisions and the undue burden they create for our health care professionals are totally avoidable. Please respect speed limits and keep everyone safe.”
“The vast majority of road users in Ottawa get it. Unfortunately, we’re still inundated with public complaints about high speeds, street racing and unnecessary noise that comes with irresponsible road use,” added Sgt. Craig Roberts, OPS Traffic Case Manager. “Our officers will continue to focus on High Flyers, Stunt Drivers and Street Racers over the coming weeks until the message becomes loud and clear for the problematic minority of drivers and riders.”
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CONTACT:
Media Relations Section
Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, May 13, 2020 10:02am
‘Operation Overwatch’ enforcement results for first two weeks are in
(Ottawa) – On May 1st, the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) announced that its officers would be focusing on high speed drivers and riders across the City with the launch of Operation Overwatch.
Over the course of the first two weeks of the campaign (April 25th to May 8th), over 582 Provincial Offence Notices (PONs) have been issued for speeding. Multiple vehicles have been seized and their drivers charged with Stunt Driving under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act.
“Our officers continue to fan out across the City in an effort to hold those who insist on putting our friends, families and loved ones at risk with irresponsible driving habits,” said OPS Traffic Case Manager/Sergeant Craig Roberts. “I think we’d all rather see our medical professionals focus on the pandemic rather than the potential fallout from completely avoidable high-speed collisions.”
“We are committed to holding dangerous drivers to account day and night. There’s no excuse for behaviour that can so easily turn into tragedy,” said Staff Sergeant Marc-Andre Sheehy, head of the OPS Traffic Services Unit.
“We haven’t heard from a single resident across the City who doesn’t support a crack-down on Stunt Driving and Street Racing,” added Sergeant Roberts. “Far too many drivers are travelling at 30, 40 and +50km/h over the posted limit, often in residential neighbourhoods. And this has to stop before someone gets killed.”
Operation Overwatch is an OPS initiative focusing on
Stunt Driving & Street Racing throughout the City of Ottawa.
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