Jami Sanftleben, Paralegal
SHORTCUTS – What You Need To Know Now
Fight a Traffic Ticket in Pickering
If you live in Pickering or you visit here often, likely, you are already aware of this town’s most notable spots. With a population of about 98,578 people and counting, many say there is something for everyone.
One of the most popular and eye-catching places to visit is the Rouge National Urban Park. This park occupies the towns of Pickering, Markham and Toronto. It offers a great hiking trail accompanied by scenic views. Vast greenery, deer, beavers and other animals are likely to escort you as you take a stroll. It is a pretty great place to visit and unwind. People of all ages, both young and old, embark on its trail.
Who Lives Here?
According to Pickering.ca, about 27,499 young people ranging from the ages of 15-34 live in Pickering.
How Does Age Relate to Traffic Violations?
As with most young people, the idea of driving and getting their licence right away is one of the first accomplishments many seek. For countless young adults and teens, it affords convenience.
Over the years, there has been a trend where young drivers have been frequently convicted of traffic offences. Mainly, those within their teens and in their twenties have largely comprised this group. According to the article titled “Here’s What Puts Teenage Drivers at Risk” by Science News for Students, newly licensed teens are 4x more likely to be in an accident.
It was discovered that inexperience and a more substantial likelihood of being distracted contributed to this occurrence. CDC (Centres for Disease Control & Prevention) stated that speeding, reckless driving, improper use of seat belts, alcohol consumption and other factors also contributed. Additionally, they concluded that males were more at risk.
What About Other Age Groups in Pickering?
Although teens have been identified as the highest group involved in accidents, those in their twenties are no different. The OPP ran a campaign back in 2018 called Canada Roads Safety Week. It was discovered during this campaign that speeding was the most common offence.
In 2017, they found that those ranging in age from 25-34 were charged the most for speeding. It amounted to a total of 54,931 for this specific offence for OPP patrolled roadways.
Therefore, those ranging in age from 15-34 seem to be quite widespread in relation to traffic offences.
Adults ranging in age from 70 and older are also considered to be at risk for traffic violations. This is significantly due to their fragility and other age-related factors. Still, they are not entirely comparable to those in much younger age groups.
Aitken Robertson Can Defend Against Traffic Violations in Pickering
Although young people are primarily mentioned, this does not imply that only this particular age group commits traffic offences. You don’t necessarily have to be young to make mistakes on the road. In fact, almost everyone can attest to receiving a traffic ticket.
If you have been issued a traffic ticket in Pickering, whether young or older, Aitken Robertson can help.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving in Pickering and elsewhere in Durham is a traffic offence that is strictly prohibited. Some common distractions include driving with a hand-held device such as a phone, eating or drinking, fixating on objects outside of the vehicle, etc.
If convicted, you could face possible cancellation of your insurance, license suspension up to 90 days, fines up to $3,000 depending upon the number of convictions, and other severe penalties.
Speeding and Stunt Driving
Speeding is a common offence that is generally committed by many individuals. In some instances, many people don’t even realize how fast they are going while driving. However, speeding is not permitted on any level. It is especially not acceptable when driving over 50km/h – this is considered stunt driving.
The penalties of speeding in Pickering or performing stunts has its consequences. Immediate impound of your vehicle, licence suspension, jail time, an extreme increase in insurance premiums, and other unfortunate outcomes will follow.
Careless Driving
According to the HTA, careless driving is considered as such when the person driving does so “without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for others on the roadway.” Overall, your actions on the road are considered to be irresponsible.
If convicted, you can expect to have your insurance cancelled, or your insurance rates dramatically increased for careless driving. In Pickering and surrounding areas, licence suspension, imprisonment up to 6 months, and high fines will be also be given.
Driving Without Insurance
Sometimes, a bounced insurance payment can lead to its cancellation. However, there are downsides to driving without insurance. In Pickering and other parts of Ontario, you can face fines ranging from $5000-$50,000 depending on your first or subsequent offence. Licence suspension, higher premiums, and the seizure of your vehicle can also occur.
Driving While Suspended
In Pickering, driving while suspended is not tolerated. Furthermore, driving while disqualified is also not permitted. While driving, it is expected that you responsibly operate a vehicle, and this includes driving with a valid licence. Choosing not to obey such rules can lead to 6 months in jail, an extension of your licence suspension, and high insurance rates will follow.
Other Minor Traffic Violations
Unsafe lane changes, failing to yield, speeding through an amber light, not wearing a seatbelt and others are considered traffic offences. Not correctly adhering to the rules of the road can lead to unwanted fines. Future violations can lead to higher insurance premiums.
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 I Fight a Traffic Ticket in Pickering?
What Are Your Options? How Do You Choose?
When an officer issues a ticket, the front portion of the ticket is filled with information. These details include your name, licence number, and information related to the traffic stop such as location, etc. However, many do realize that there are options for filing a ticket in Pickering.
Option 1 – Pay the Ticket
The first option after receiving a ticket is paying for it. Yet, doing so implies that you are guilty, and you must face the consequences assigned. We advise against this option, and we’re sure by reading this, you do as well.
Option 2 Request A Resolution Meeting with the provincial prosecutor
Here, you must mail a request for a resolution meeting and await a response from the courts. If a date is given to see the prosecutor, you are expected to attend. You will discuss an alternate guilty plea during this meeting, often without a sufficient review of evidence.
Option 3 – Trial
If this option is chosen, a resolution meeting will still be held as in option 2. For many, this option can be misleading as they do not realize that if Option 2 is chosen, they still have the right to a trial. We suggest Option 3, especially if you wish to truly fight the charges.TM
There are different ways to facilitate these options in various jurisdictions, which include by mail, online, and by fax. There are also a few additional unwritten, universal rules that should be considered when filing a ticket.
Contact Aitken Robertson
We encourage you to contact Jami, a traffic court paralegal at Aitken Robertson, for a clearer understanding. At our law office, ‘what matters to you, matters to us.’ Once hired to represent you, you can leave the ticket and legwork with Jami.
When a traffic ticket is received, several emotions arise—initially, anger surfaces coupled with disbelief and disappointment. Fortunately, you can fight the chargesTM enabling you to possibly mitigate the traffic ticket consequences.
At Aitken Robertson, we are committed to working diligently and to help you achieve the best outcome possible in the circumstances. Our goal is to ensure that a suitable resolution is achieved. Your concerns are also ours, as what matters to you matters to us.
In an effort to develop a sound understanding of your situation, we offer free consultations. During this meeting, we encourage you to speak freely about the charge. Additionally, we discuss your legal options and offer some initial advice.
Then, if you decide to retain our services, our legal professionals will take the time to gather all the relevant information and evidence needed to build a strong case for you.
Regardless of your financial background, we offer a block fee billing method with flexible monthly payment plans. This option enables you to receive the legal advice you require without breaking the bank. Are you looking to fight a traffic ticket in Pickering? Call our office to schedule a free consultation.
