Jami Sanftleben, Paralegal
SHORTCUTS – What You Need To Know Now
Have You Received A Traffic Ticket in Ajax?
Ajax, Ontario, is a town nestled within the Durham Region. When last calculated in 2018, it held a population of 126,924 people. It is, of course, expected that this number has increased in 2020 since this time.
In this town, there are several popular places to visit. One, in particular, is Casino Ajax. It is an exciting place to visit for those who enjoy the thrill and entertainment it offers.
For others, who find more natural settings appealing, Ajax Waterfront Trail is quite charming. Here, you can stroll along the shorelines of Lake Ontario.
How Many People Are Licensed Drivers in Ontario?
In Ajax and Ontario as a whole, more and more individuals are getting their driver’s licence. For many, it is a must as driving is their preferred method of transportation. According to Statista, there were a total of about 26-27 million licensed drivers in Canada in 2018.
Every year, the number of licensed drivers in Canada and of course Ontario increases. Due to the steady incline in the number of persons attaining their licence, this implies that the number of drivers on the road rises.
What Does This Mean for Drivers in Ajax?
With such an extraordinary number of licensed drivers, a traffic violation can occur inevitably. Every driver is different. Hence slow reaction times, poor judgement, short tempers, or simply not noticing something in advance can potentially lead to a collision. These realities apply to individuals in Ajax, and all of Ontario.
Additionally, more drivers imply that there may be more individuals speeding, fiddling with their Smartphones, eating or drinking while driving, and overall focusing on things other than operating their vehicle. Although these actions are common, they are violations of the Highway Traffic Act (HTA). Tickets, fines, and other penalties can result.
Which Actions Are Considered HTA Violations?
There is a range of actions that are recognized as HTA violations. In Ajax and other towns, traffic offences occur quite often. According to the MTO’s annual report in 2019, 63,044 vehicles were involved in collisions that resulted in fatal and personal injuries.
This figure makes notice of the frequency of collisions and how often accidents and traffic violations transpire in Ontario. Here are some of the most common infractions identified under the HTA.
Driving with A Hand-Held
In Ontario, distracted driving is the primary cause of accidents. The OPP has reported that 8 in 10 accidents are caused by distraction.
If caught driving with a hand-held in Ajax, you can face fines, an increase in insurance premiums or cancellation and a suspended licence up to 90 days.
Careless Driving
In Ajax, careless driving refers to driving that demonstrates a lack of care and regard for other persons using the roadway. Examples of this involve a driver tailgating another vehicle or failing to yield to pedestrians.
Driving irresponsibly and without regard for others has its penalties. You could face fines from $400-$2,000, imprisonment for six months and licence suspension for 2 years.
Speeding & Stunt Driving
One of the most common traffic violations performed is speeding. Regardless of how confident you may feel, speeding a few kilometres over the limit is not permitted. Whether driving below or over 50km/h, speeding is not acceptable. You will be penalized for this action.
Speeding over 50km/h is considered stunt driving. In Ajax, your vehicle will be immediately impounded if caught driving over this speed. Fines up to $10,000, an increase on your insurance premiums, imprisonment, license suspension, and other consequences can result.
Driving Without Insurance
Although one of many coincidences, moving and forgetting to update your insurance company with your new address can lead to your insurance cancellation. In Ajax, driving without insurance has its costs. Your licence may be suspended, your vehicle may be impounded, and your insurance payments will be inflated.
Driving While Suspended
Regardless of the situation, you are not permitted to drive with a suspended license in Ajax or anywhere else in Ontario. When you are behind the wheel, the expectation is that you are operating it legally.
One of these expectations involves having a valid license. Not following these rules can lead to imprisonment up to 6 months, costly insurance premiums, an extension of your licence suspension and fines up to $5,000.
Minor Traffic Violations
In addition to the traffic offences mentioned, other minor violations are considered. For instance, failing to stop at a stop sign, not wearing a seatbelt, making an improper turn are just some of the transgressions that have its consequences. You can face fines and stricter penalties, such as subsequent offences.
NO SURPRISE Fee Quote Guarantee
We understand that when you face a traffic charge or another provincial offence, it is a time of great uncertainty. You face options, important decisions, and possible real changes in your life. At Aitken Robertson we are proud to offer you something that you can count on; our NO SURPRISE fixed quote guarantee. We have been doing this a long time, and know what goes into an effective defence at each stage of the process. We don’t bill by the hour or for travel, which makes the overall cost very predictable and ensures cost-certainty for you. So count on this—if we quote you a price, you will not pay more!
Convictions and Insurance
Traffic convictions can have a very negative effect on your insurance premiums, and even your ability to remain insured. Insurance companies are free to set their own policies on such things, but most of them use a scale that increases the premium multiplier with the severity of the conviction. This scale rates convictions as: “minor,” ”major,” and “serious.” Some minor convictions will have a little to no effect on your insurance, while the major and serious convictions will have a large effect for sure.
All types of convictions will be considered by your insurer for several years, so a minor conviction now and a minor conviction later may cause a pain in your pocket. Although other factors must be considered, at Aitken Robertson we will listen to you and take your goals into account when planning your defence. And then when we break it down, we might find that you may not be in as much trouble as you think!
Demerit Points
When speaking to many valued clients, we have come to realize that some have a misconception about demerit points and their effect on insurance and the ability to drive. Insurance companies don’t really look at demerit points when they funnel you into either the mutual or the high-risk market (i.e. low-cost vs. high-cost market). It is the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) that cares very much about demerit points, and if you accumulate too many in a given period, you could end up getting your licence suspended. Some violations come with zero demerit points, and some come with as many as seven. Also, your level of licence (G or G2 for example) will dictate how many demerit points you can accumulate before entering the danger zone in which your licence is at risk.
Call us today to learn more about the difference between minor, major, and serious convictions, as well as the effect of demerit points on your ability to drive.
How Do You Fight a Traffic Ticket in Ajax?
Upon receiving a ticket, many individuals are uncertain of how to proceed. Should I pay for the ticket? How do I fight a traffic ticket in Ajax? are just some of the common questions asked.
Three options can be taken when you are given a ticket. These involve the following:
- Paying the ticket
- Requesting a resolution meeting
- Going to trial
By choosing to pay the ticket, you are essentially pleading guilty to the crime, and the ascribed penalties for the offence will apply. Alternatively, option 2 involves mailing a request for a resolution meeting, where a possible guilty plea will be discussed.
The final option is a trial, which is always suggested. Here, you will be allowed to properly contest the charges against you and conceivably minimize any associated penalties.
Contact Aitken Robertson
If you have been charged with any of the traffic offences mentioned above, we invite you to contact us. Here, we offer you the Aitken Robinson advantage. You will receive the legal advocacy of Jami traffic court paralegal. Also, you will have the support of other legal professionals working collaboratively to fight the charges.TM
At Aitken Robertson, you have the opportunity to engage in a free 30-minute consultation. During this meeting, you are incited to discuss the circumstances leading to the administration of your ticket.
We will also provide you with pertinent information regarding the consequences and its extending impacts during this consult. Jami will discuss associated costs and the flexibility of our payment options.
At our law office, what matters to you, matters to us. Contact us to schedule your free consultation. We look forward to speaking with you.
