SHORTCUTS – What You Need To Know Now
Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill is one of Canada’s youngest cities. Although established as a village in 1872, Richmond Hill received its designation as a city in March of 2019. Presently, it is called the City of Richmond Hill.
Richmond Hill has many landmarks, buildings, and attractions that make it a great place to visit. According to Tripadvisor.ca, some of these amazing places are in Richmond Hill itself, or nearby. Wilcox Lake, David Dunlap Observatory, Hillcrest Shopping Mall and Bond Lake, are just a few of the great destinations in the vicinity of Richmond Hill.
A number of well-known people are associated with Richmond Hill. Kathleen Wynne, Dylan Neal, Jackie Richardson, Trish Stratus and many others have settled in this city.
Which Traffic Offence Is Problematic in Richmond Hill?
In the online news article titled: ‘It’s very dangerous’: Richmond Hill residents raise concerns about speeding, stunt driving’.” speeding and stunt driving was considered to be quite problematic on residential streets, especially during the onset of COVID-19.
Some residents believed that adding devices such as “traffic calming devices or speed cameras” to the streets would deter dangerous driving behaviours.
Speed Enforcement Cameras – A New Undertaking in Richmond Hill
During the York Regional Council meeting in November 2020, a new undertaking was considered. It was decided that speed enforcement cameras would be installed in specific school zones under a four-month pilot program.
In the City of Toronto, the same program was implemented and eventually led to more cameras being placed around the city. The purpose of these devices is to discourage speeding, improve safety, and curtail bad driving habits.
With this tool, a vehicle’s speed is recorded if it exceeds the posted speed limit. Details regarding the vehicle’s image and its licence plate are saved and reviewed by a police officer.
If it is determined that the vehicle was speeding, the vehicle owner is mailed a copy of the captured image. It is sent out within 30 days along with instructions on how to proceed with paying the ticket.
Are Speeding Cameras Effective?
Are Speeding Cameras Effective?Some have argued that the cameras are effective as, according to scholarly reviews, accidents tend to occur close to home. Hence the implementation of the speeding camera in residential areas, specifically school zones, has been made mandatory.
Although considered effective, the practicality of the cameras have been challenged. Like any other technological devices, they can produce errors due to issues related to programming. When initially used in Toronto, incorrect tickets were issued, resulting in false fines. The flaw was attributed to a programming error.
Other disputes have been related to the issuing of tickets. If someone is driving your car and is caught by a speeding enforcement camera, the ticket goes against the vehicle. The camera is unable to prove who was driving as only the licence plate is captured. These issues and others have arisen in court.
Aitken Robertson Can Defend Against Traffic Violations in Richmond Hill
If you get a traffic ticket in Richmond Hill, you have a few options to consider. These include pleading guilty, meeting with the prosecutor to seek an early resolution, or taking it to trial. One option is the latter. Doing so will enable you to contest the charge and possibly reduce the severity of the consequences.
Stunt Driving
As in the rest of Ontario, in Richmond Hill, stunt driving includes a plethora of stunts. These stunts can include burnouts, popping wheelies, driving on a bet, chasing a car, and other illegal actions. The most common stunt is driving 50km over the speed limit. The consequences of stunt driving may include an immediate 30-day administrative licence suspension and a 14-day vehicle impoundment. If convicted, the penalties are a fine of between $2,000 and $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term up to six months, or to both. In addition, the person’s driver’s licence may be suspended, on a first conviction for up to two years; or on a subsequent conviction, for up to 10 years.
Speeding + Minor Infractions
In Richmond Hill, speeding is a common offence. It is also a frequent occurrence across Ontario. Speeding is the act of driving a vehicle over the posted speed limit.
Minor infractions include failing to stop at a stop sign, improper lane changes, running a red light, and driving without a seatbelt. The consequences related to these offences may include fines, and other penalties such as licence suspensions, depending on the amount of points already existing on the licence, and what type of licence it is. For example, convictions of running a red light and then not wearing a seatbelt a month apart will get a G2 driver suspended for 30 days.
Careless Driving
As elsewhere, careless driving in Richmond Hill involves operating a vehicle “without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the highway”. For instance, applying makeup while driving is considered as careless driving. Careless driving consequences may include fines, licence suspension for up to two years, imprisonment, and other penalties.
Driving with a Hand-Held Device
Driving with a Hand-Held DeviceAs in the rest of Ontario, driving with a hand-held communication or entertainment device in Richmond Hill is a form of distracted driving. Using a device such as a mobile phone while operating a vehicle, falls under this offence. It is a traffic violation because using a technological device while driving is considered dangerous.
Driving Without Insurance
As elsewhere, in Richmond Hill, driving without insurance is the act of driving a vehicle without valid insurance. The penalties for this offence include extremely high fines and a possible driver’s licence suspension of up to a year.
Driving With a Suspended Licence
Driving with a suspended licence in Richmond Hill is a traffic offence. If you are found guilty of this offence, you may be subjected to high fines and additional driver’s licence suspensions. Drivers caught driving with suspended licences are in some circumstances also charged with the criminal offence of Operation While Prohibited (sometimes referred to as Driving While Disqualified).
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 Richmond Hill?
After you receive a ticket, there are several options to consider. One option that you could consider is taking your matter to trial. Fighting your ticket at trial gives you the opportunity to challenge the allegations against you and if successful, to avoid the negative consequences of a conviction.
At Aitken Robertson, what matters to you matters to us. We work hard to achieve the best outcome possible for you.
We offer free 30-minute consultations. During the consultation we’ll help you understand your charges and your options. If after the consultation you decide to retain us, our legal team will work hard to gather and analyze all the relevant evidence in order to build a case in your defence.
Regardless of your financial circumstances, we offer a block fee payment method and flexible monthly payment plans. This option enables you to receive the legal advice you require without having to come up with the legal fees all at once and without any surprises when you get the bill.
Are you looking to fight a traffic ticket in Richmond Hill? Call our office to schedule a free consultation.
Court Information for Traffic Violations in Richmond Hill
Traffic offences in Richmond Hill are heard at 50 High Tech Rd in Richmond Hill. Due to COVID-19, appointments are required for in-person court services and can be booked online. The hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.
Parking
If you are commuting here by car, there are parking spaces on site. There are also alternative parking spaces available. Here are the two we suggest:
Food
If you’re feeling hungry while you’re in the area, here are some options to consider:
- Haze Restaurant + Lounge – Yonge St. Richmond Hill – Offering foods such as peri peri chicken skewers, portobello chicken, calamari and so much more
- Sansotei Ramen, providing a variety of miso and ramen dishes with served with items such as chashu (pork), egg, rice, bamboo shoot and other ingredients.
- Three Coins Open Kitchen, serving brunch foods such as eggs Benedict, NY steak with eggs, French toast, and more.
