Have You Been
Charged With a Traffic
Violation?

Driving while using a hand-held wireless communication device or other prescribed device that is capable of receiving or transmitting telephone communications, electronic data, mail or text messages. Ontario Highway Traffic Act section 78.1.1

This indicates that by no means can a driver be holding a working cell phone/communication device regardless of whether the vehicle was in motion or not, when on the road. Note, conviction penalties vary based on the type of drivers license.

The penalties for a G license for distracted driving are dependent upon the number of times you have been convicted:

First conviction:

• Three demerit points
• A fine of $615, if settled out of court (includes a victim surcharge and the court fee)
• A fine of up to $1,000 if a summons is received or if you fight the ticket in court and lose
• Three day suspension

Second conviction:

• Six demerit points
• A fine of $615, if settled out of court (includes a victim surcharge and the court fee)
• A fine of up to $2,000 if a summons is received or if you fight the ticket in court and lose
• 7-day suspension

Third and any further conviction(s):

• Six demerit points
• A fine of $615, if settled out of court (includes a victim surcharge and the court fee)
• A fine of up to $3,000 if a summons is received or if you fight the ticket in court and lose
• Thirty day suspension

No person shall drive a motor vehicle on a highway in a race or contest, while performing a stunt or on a bet or wager.

Penalties:

A stunt driving ticket is issued when a driver is exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 km/hr. Once a driver receives a stunt driving ticket, their license is immediately suspended for 7 days and their vehicle is also impounded for 7 days. You can also receive a stunt driving charge for having someone in the trunk, spinning without maintaining control, road rage, etc.

Additional penalties that are highly likely to result from a stunt driving charge include:

• Six demerit points
• A fine of anywhere from $2,000 up to $10,000
• Possible imprisonment of up to six months
• A license suspension of up to 2 years
• An increase in insurance rates

A driver can be charged with careless driving if they drive a vehicle without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the highway (also known as roadway).

Licence suspension for careless driving is dependent on your class of drivers licence, but the following penalties apply to all classes of drivers licence:

• Six demerit points for two years
• A $490 fine
• An increase in your insurance rate up to 3 years

Additionally, if convicted and depending on the severity of the case, you could be liable to a fine between $400 and $2,000 and/or imprisonment of up to six months. Careless driving causing bodily harm can result in a fine of up to $50,000

Failure of a driver to bring his or her vehicle to a full and complete stop at or before the marked stop line.

Anyone who fails to bring a vehicle to a full and complete stop at the stop sign is subject to the following penalties:

• Three demerit points on your driving record
• A $110 fine
• May increase in your insurance rates
• A conviction registered on your driving record for three years.

Failure of a driver to obey a traffic sign by pursuing a prohibited turn.

Turning when contrary to the sign can have a lot more repercussions than just the penalty of the illegal turn violation. Other penalties include:

• Two demerit points
• A $110 fine
• A conviction registered on your driving abstract record for three years
• May increase in your insurance rates

Failure to stop for a police officer when signalled or requested

Anyone who fails to stop for a police officer can get the following penalties:

• Seven demerit points
• A fine from anywhere between $1,000 up to $10,000
• A jail sentence of up to six months
• May Increase insurance rate
• Licence suspension

If you are involved in or are a witness to an accident, you must remain at the scene of the accident; provide all possible assistance.

Failure to remain is one of the most consequential charges under the Highway Traffic Act. By law, anyone involved in an accident must:

• remain at, or return immediately to the scene
• render all possible assistance
• upon request, give in writing to anyone sustaining loss or injury or to any police officer or to any witness:
  1. Name and address
  2. Driver’s Licence number and jurisdiction of issuance
  3. The vehicle liability insurance policy insurer and policy number
  4. Name and address of the registered owner of the vehicle
  5. The vehicle permit number

Penalty for Failure to Remain - Under the Highway Traffic Act

• Seven demerit points
• A fine between $400 and up to $2,000
• Imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or to both
• Possible license suspension for up to two years
• May increase in your insurance rates

Every person who drives a motor vehicle while his or her driver’s licence is suspended, under an Act of the Legislature or a regulation made thereunder, is guilty of an offence and upon conviction is liable:

• for a first offence, a fine of between $1,000 and $5,000;
• for each subsequent offence, a fine between $2,000 and $5,000;
• or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or to both

The penalties an individual is subject to when driving while being suspended can include:

• Potentially six months in jail
• A minimum $1,000 fine
• Six month licence suspension
• A minimum $5,000 fine for cases involving alcohol suspensions
• Potential insurance consequences that may result in cancellation or increase

Multiple convictions while driving with a suspended license are drastically harsher.

A person can be charged if they are operating a motor vehicle without insurance and/or if that person permits another person to operate that vehicle without valid insurance.

There are many repercussions associated with being caught for driving without insurance, as driving and insurance go hand in hand. Some of the penalties include:

• Fines between $5000 and $25,000 if it is a first offence
• Fines between $10,000 and $50,000 if it is a second offence
• Driver’s license suspension for up to one year
• Vehicle impounded for up to three months
• The Provincial Offences Act tacks on an additional 25% victim fine surcharge