OPP catch 6 drivers without insurance on Ottawa highways this weekend

Ontario Provincial Police say officers charged six drivers for not having insurance while driving on Ottawa highways this weekend. (OPP/X)

Ontario Provincial Police are reminding drivers to ensure they have insurance after catching several drivers without insurance on Ottawa roads.

Police say officers charged six drivers for having uninsured vehicles on the roads this weekend.

“If you can’t afford to properly insure your vehicle, don’t drive it,” OPP Const. Michael Fathi said on X.

The fine for operating a vehicle without insurance is a minimum of $5,000.

Fathi says the OPP continues to see a rise in the number of drivers operating their vehicles without insurance.

“In the first third of 2025, Ottawa OPP members have laid 157 charges for operating a vehicle without insurance,” Fathi said.

HOV lanes

Police say there have also been numerous complaints about the improper use of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes in Ottawa.

An officer stopped a vehicle speeding 147 km/h while in an Ottawa HOV lane on Saturday.

“The driver faces nearly $500 in fines as well as seven demerit points upon conviction,” Fathi said.

The fine for improper use of an HOV lane is $110 and three demerit points.

According to the Ministry of Transportation, HOV lanes are designated lanes that can only be used by vehicles carrying two or more people or other specific types of vehicles, including taxis, motorcycles and vehicles with a green licence plate.