A deadly week on Ottawa’s roads prompted police to create a targeted traffic initiative stopping dozens of vehicles in south Ottawa communities.
According to a release from officials, 41 charges were laid in more than 40 traffic stops. Police were focused on Barrhaven, Findlay Creek and Riverside South over the Oct. 16-17 weekend.
At one stop they were stationed along Hunt Club Road, a high traffic east-west corridor in the city. Officials said they were focused on the area because of the multiple reports from the community. Specific roadway concerns in Findlay Creek were also a focus for officers after complaints from residents.
During the stops police said they searched four vehicles in relation to concerns involving cannabis and/or liquor.
Some incidents police reported 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
Ottawa police said the initiative had a focus on driver behaviour after several people were killed, or critically injured, in the nation’s capital last week.
“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,” the release reads.
Two pedestrians were killed, one in Barrhaven the other in Sandy Hill, within a day of each other. The next day, a 20-year-old was critically injured in a rural Ottawa crash.
It comes after two more fatalities were reported in Ottawa the week before.
“Officers appreciated the positive interactions with residents and the opportunity to have meaningful conversations about road safety and broader neighbourhood concerns,” the release notes.
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