A young driver in Ontario learned a costly lesson on Boxing Day after provincial police caught them travelling at a dangerously high speed on a major Ottawa highway.
Reckless Driving on a Holiday Morning
The incident occurred shortly before 9 a.m. on December 26, 2025. According to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the driver of a vehicle was recorded travelling at 173 kilometres per hour on Highway 417 near Carling Avenue. Police noted the driver sped past a fully marked OPP cruiser, indicating a blatant disregard for both the law and the visible police presence.
Severe Charges and Immediate Consequences
The driver, who holds a G2 licence, was immediately charged with stunt driving under Ontario's Highway Traffic Act. Upon being stopped, the motorist received an automatic 30-day licence suspension and a 14-day vehicle impoundment.
If convicted, the driver now faces severe provincial penalties that are mandatory for stunt driving offences. These include:
- A minimum fine of $2,000.
- Six demerit points added to their driving record.
- A one-year driving prohibition upon conviction.
A Stark Reminder from Police
This Boxing Day incident serves as a clear reminder from the OPP that traffic enforcement is a 24/7, year-round priority. The assumption that holidays might mean a day off for police is a dangerous misconception. Stunt driving charges apply to any driver caught travelling 50 km/h or more over the posted speed limit on roads with a maximum of 80 km/h, or at speeds of 150 km/h or greater on any highway, regardless of the limit.
The penalties are designed to be harsh deterrents, reflecting the extreme danger such speeds pose to the driver, passengers, and all other road users. The OPP continues to emphasize that road safety is a shared responsibility, and enforcement actions like this one are crucial for protecting the public on Ontario's highways.
