Jami Sanftleben, Paralegal
SHORTCUTS – What You Need To Know Now
Courtice
Courtice, ON, is a beautiful town located east of Toronto. It is situated in Clarington, which is a part of the Durham Region. In 2016, it was reported that Courtice had a population of about 40,000 people.
As a town that is occupied by many people, Courtice has a few landmarks and places that are well-known. Harmony Valley Conservation Area is one of them.
It contains 28 hectares of land, which boasts heavily of vast natural trails paralleled by amazing trees and greenery. If you are a hiker or nature lover, you might find this place to be quite breathtaking.
How Are the Driving Conditions in Courtice, ON?
Courtice, ON, is quite a drive from the city of Toronto, home to the financial district, many corporations and businesses where individuals work. However, countless professionals working in these spaces live in regions outside of Toronto, such as Courtice, ON.
As with any other distant town, numerous individuals of Courtice and other regions frequent Toronto for work. Some individuals utilize Go Trains and buses to avoid the gridlock that can occur as they commuted. Yet, to access GO Train stations, a bit of driving is required. Courtice, ON, does not have a standalone GO Train Station.
With 40,000 people here, traffic is inevitable. Increased movement and circulation of a population can, unfortunately, lead to pileups. Not every driver is perfect, and accidents can occur. Numerous vehicles and people on the road, regardless of the reason, can, unfortunately, lead to traffic violations.
Traffic Violations Under the HTA
Under the Highway Traffic Act (HTA), you must follow specific regulations while operating a vehicle on the road. Although you may believe that you are an expert driver, accidents can occur despite your efforts to drive safely. Unfortunately, if you commit a traffic violation, there are consequences. If you have received a traffic ticket in Courtice, ON, below is some information to consider.
Driving While Suspended
Having pre-existing traffic violations on your record for speeding, failing to remain at a collision scene, etc. can lead to a licence suspension. Without a valid licence, you are not expected to drive.
Driving while suspended in Courtice or other regions of Ontario is a major offence. Similarly, driving while prohibited is also forbidden. This restriction bans drivers from getting behind the wheel based on a conviction under the Criminal Code. The penalties for performing any of these actions involve jail time, exorbitant insurance rates, and hefty fines.
Driving with A Hand-Held
With over 3.5 billion phone users worldwide and counting, it is no wonder why driving with a hand-held in Courtice and all of Ontario is a prominent occurrence. Many drivers in the province have attested to driving with a hand-held device.
Though it may be common, it is not allowed. You could lose your vehicle, face fines starting at $3,000 on second or subsequent convictions, and suffer the impact of higher insurance rates.
Careless Driving
Careless driving is a traffic violation. It is an act that involves operating a vehicle in a manner that demonstrates no care or consideration for others. For instance, passing a car aggressively or failing to yield the right of way to another driver are just some of the actions that fall under this offence.
Neglecting your responsibilities on the road and committing any acts of careless driving comes with penalties. This involves imprisonment for up to 6 months, fines up to $4,000 and a suspended licence for up to 24 months.
Speeding & Stunt Driving
Without a doubt, speeding is one of the most frequent traffic violations. Driving up to 49km/h over the posted limit is considered speeding. In Courtice, stunt driving is speeding over 50km/h. The same rules of speeding also apply to other parts of Ontario.
Performing any of these stunts has its penalties. You could have your vehicle impounded for seven days and will be required to pay the associated fees. Furthermore, your licence may be suspended, and your insurance will be affected. For young male drivers, insurance premiums will increase exponentially.
Driving Without Insurance
Having insurance on your vehicle is imperative. Therefore, driving without insurance in Courtice or anywhere else has its consequences. Your licence may be suspended for 90 days, and you could face fines up to $5,000. Also, if convicted, your insurance premiums will increase.
Minor Traffic Violations
In addition to the most common HTA offences listed above, other violations can occur. These minor traffic violations can include driving without a seatbelt, improper lane changes, following too closely behind another vehicle and many others. If you are caught committing any of these acts, you could face fines. You may receive demerit points on your record, and your insurance may rise.
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.
Aitken Robertson Advantage
When you are charged with a traffic ticket, you have three options. You can pay the ticket, request a resolution meeting, or move forward to trial. Our team of experienced paralegals would advise of the latter, as paying for the ticket confirms that you are guilty of the charges. Remember, it is on the Crown to prove the charge.
At Aitken Robertson, you will acquire multifaceted support. You will have the advocacy of a licensed paralegal and the support of our proficient legal team. Together, we will help you to fight the charges.
Here, we offer 30-minute consultations, where you are encouraged to discuss the details related to your traffic ticket. We actively listen to your concerns and provide additional information concerning the long-standing impacts of the charge.
At our law office, what matters to you matters to us. Therefore, we offer legal services that are sound but also affordable. We have various options available to accommodate the costs associated with disputing your charges.
If you are interested in booking a consultation, give us a call. We look forward to speaking with you.
