RCMP Traffic Alert: Dangerous Hatchback Riding on Hwy 105, Cape Breton

Community Safety Alert – Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

On the afternoon of June 27, 2026, RCMP Northwest Traffic Services stopped a vehicle on Highway 105 near Fort Bevis in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia after a person was spotted riding in the open hatchback while the car travelled at highway speed. The incident occurred at approximately 3:08 p.m. and involved a Mazda3 with a second vehicle following behind.

Officers determined that the vehicle’s driver and a passenger were taking part in a dangerous stunt that put the passenger, other road users, and bystanders at serious risk. Both men have now been charged under the Motor Vehicle Act. This incident highlights the critical importance of proper seatbelt use and safe, lawful seating positions in all vehicles, especially on high-speed routes in the Cape Breton area, where broader trends can be seen in the Cape Breton crime statistics and safety report.

Official Incident Details

According to the official RCMP report, an officer on routine patrol observed a dangerous situation unfolding on Hwy. 105 near Fort Bevis:

• A Mazda3 was seen travelling at approximately the posted highway limit of 100 km/h with its rear hatch open.
• A passenger was positioned in the open hatchback, visibly filming, rather than seated inside the passenger compartment.
• A second vehicle was following behind the Mazda3 at the time of the incident.
• The officer initiated an immediate traffic stop on the Mazda3.

Following the stop, RCMP Northwest Traffic Services laid charges against both the driver and the passenger under the Motor Vehicle Act:

• Driver: A 21-year-old man from Hubbards, Nova Scotia
  • Issued a summary offence ticket for permitting a person to ride on a portion of a vehicle not designed for passengers.
• Passenger: A 25-year-old man from Moncton, New Brunswick
  • Issued a summary offence ticket for riding on a portion of a vehicle not designed for passengers.

RCMP noted that the man in the hatchback had been strapped in using an improvised restraint or harness. Investigators emphasized that such makeshift systems do not provide the same protection as an approved seatbelt, a proper seating position inside the vehicle, closed doors, and factory-installed safety systems.

Police are reminding the public that:

• Drivers are legally responsible for operating their vehicles safely and ensuring all occupants are properly seated and restrained.
• Passengers must also follow the law and avoid behaviour that endangers themselves, the driver, or other people on the road.
• Anyone who witnesses dangerous driving or unsafe vehicle use should contact police. If there is an immediate threat to public safety or an unfolding emergency, call 911 without delay.

RCMP File Number: 2026-895296

CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective

From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, this incident is a clear example of how seemingly “stunt-like” or social-media-driven behaviour can rapidly become life-threatening on high-speed routes such as Highway 105 in Cape Breton. Improvised restraints, open hatches, and riding outside designated seating areas significantly increase the risk of ejection, severe injury, or death, and can also trigger collisions involving nearby vehicles. When we analyze regional trends through resources like our Cape Breton area crime and safety data, unsafe driving remains a key contributor to preventable harm on Nova Scotia roads.

To support safer communities in Nova Scotia, CrimeCanada.ca encourages all drivers and passengers to commit to basic road safety principles: always sit inside the vehicle in a proper seat, wear a certified seatbelt, keep doors closed and locked while moving, and refuse to take part in dangerous filming or stunt activities on public roads. Community members play a vital role by reporting hazardous driving as it happens—timely calls to 911 during an urgent situation, or to local RCMP detachments for non-emergency concerns, help prevent serious collisions and protect everyone sharing the road.

Official Source & Community Safety

This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the nova-scotia community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.

Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.