Ottawa police lay 41 charges in weekend traffic blitz

A traffic-enforcement initiative in the city’s south end found Ottawa police giving drivers an earful on road safety in addition to issuing dozens of provincial offence notices.

According to police, more than 40 vehicles were stopped and 41 charges laid during the Oct. 16-17 blitz, which was conducted by the OPS South Neighbourhood Resource Team in Barrhaven, Findlay Creek, Riverside South and at high-traffic intersections along the Hunt Club corridor, both east and west.

Four vehicles were searched due to concerns over cannabis and alcohol infractions.

And that wasn’t all police did. With the number of traffic fatalities in Ottawa this year already at 30 — well over last year’s total of 22 — they also lectured folks on the perils of unsafe driving.

“Officers took the opportunity to speak directly with drivers and passengers about safe driving practices, the consequences of unsafe behaviour behind the wheel, and the shared responsibility everyone has in keeping Ottawa’s roads safe,” said an OPS statement, noting that officers appreciated the “positive interactions” and “meaningful conversations.”

The statement reminded all road users to “remain attentive, obey traffic laws and make safe choices every time they travel.”
As for the provincial-offence charges, they include:

• Distracted driving and the use of a hand-held device
• Driving with cannabis or liquor readily available
• Obstructed licence plates
• Disobeying stop signs
• Improperly coloured or coated windows and windshields
• Driving without a valid permit
• Failing to surrender proof of insurance