Operation Impact Education and Enforcement Campaign results

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, October 12, 2022             3:10 pm

(Ottawa) – Over the Thanksgiving long weekend, Ottawa Police officers conducted traffic enforcement as part of the National Operation Impact campaign.

“Operation Impact is a public awareness campaign focused on education and enforcement of impaired driving due to alcohol, drugs and fatigue, aggressive driving, distracted driving and the use of seat belts and child car seats,” said S/Sgt. Denis Hull, head of the OPS Traffic Unit. “These are the main causes of death and injury on Canadian roadways.”

Frontline Patrol Officers, Neighbourhood Resource Officers and members of Traffic Services all participated in this road safety initiative.  

From October 7 – 10, a total of 425 Provincial Offence Notices were issued for:

• Speeding (117)
• Documents Infractions (87)
• Disobey Sign (40)
• Plate Infractions (30)
• Other Violations (30)
• Cellphone (30)
• Red/Amber Light (21)
• Equipment (17)
• Seatbelt (15)
• Change Lane - Not In Safety (9)
• Careless Driving (6)
• Unlicenced (6)
• Tow Truck Infractions (4)
• Tint (4)
• Noise / Muffler (3)
• G1 Infraction (3)
• Liquor Licence & Control Act (2)
• Cannabis Act (1)

Stunt driving continues to be a concern on Ottawa roads. Police charged 26 drivers for stunting.

Of these offences, 17 happened on Regional Road 174 in a construction zone.

Of note:

• One driver is a repeat offender
• 21 stunt drivers were male and five were female
• 8 stunt drivers have G2 licences
• One driver was in a bus lane watching video while driving 102 k/hr in a 60 k/hr zone
• 1 stunt driver was operating a Para Transpo bus (no passengers)
• 1 driver, already under suspension, was caught speeding 157 k/hr in a 80 k/hr zone. They have had their vehicle impounded for 45 days. 

In addition to the 26 Part III Court Summons issued for Stunt Driving, officers charged drivers for the following offences:

• Suspended Drivers (9)
• Documents (2)
• Cellphone (1)
• Drive in bus lane (1)
• Cannabis available (1)
• Unlicenced (1)
• Careless (1)
• G1 Infraction (1)
• Equipment (1)

RIDE programs and traffic stops by Patrol officers resulted in:

• 12 impaired incidents (includes impaired by drugs & alcohol and refusals)
• 3 three-day warn suspensions 

“These numbers show that drivers are engaging in behaviours that put the safety of all road users at risk,” said S/Sgt. Hull. “Make safe driving your number one priority every time you are behind the wheel.” 

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