It is dangerous and reckless and can endanger people's lives. Reckless driving is a growing problem in Ottawa.

It was only moments on the road before Ottawa police stopped a driver going 54 km/h over the speed limit in a construction zone in Orléans.

This was just the beginning of a series of charges for street racing within two hours, and police say this is just the tip of the iceberg in this major issue.

"No one was hurt, but we don't want to respond to collision incidents where someone is injured or killed."

Officer Phil Kinne from the Ottawa Police Traffic Enforcement Unit said that Ottawa has seen its fair share of victims and drivers and innocent bystanders killed as a result of some of these excessive speeds.

Reckless driving is a serious problem, and police say it is getting worse.

A reckless driving charge is laid when drivers are speeding 40 km/h or more over the speed limit on roads with a speed limit of less than 80 km/h. On other roads and highways, charges are laid when drivers are going 50 km/h or more over the limit.

Kinne said some people will lose their jobs because of this, "but I mean we are doing our part to try to make the road safe for everyone."

He emphasized there are many trouble spots including Orléans and Barrhaven, where 60 tickets were issued last weekend.

Police are ramping up enforcement in these areas with a new late-night initiative and recently arrested a motorcycle rider going 111 km/h over the limit on Strandherd Drive.

Potential penalties for a reckless driving conviction can range from fines of $2,000 to $10,000, up to six months in jail, license suspensions, and demerit points.

David Hill, a councillor for the Barrhaven West area, said this needs to be a lifelong lesson once someone starts doing it two, three times or more. "I don't feel much sympathy for this and I'd like to see those sentences increased."

It is worth noting that when a driver is stopped and charged with reckless driving, this means their vehicle is immediately impounded and their driving license is suspended for thirty days. The vehicle is then held for two weeks.