SHORTCUTS – What You Need To Know Now
Stouffville
Stouffville is a community in Ontario with a growing population. This is evident in its rapid growth, coupled with the new residences that are being erected annually at affordable prices. As the town expands, persons of various ethnicities are venturing here, gradually making the city more multicultural.
Those living in Stouffville attest to the calm and quiet nature of the town. It offers family-oriented communities, nature pathways, recreational activities, and other attractive amenities. Here in Stouffville, you can visit local parks or places such as Applewood Farm, Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum & Community Centre, Timber Creek Golf, Treewalk Village and other sites.
Despite being a quiet community, Stouffville has quite a bit to offer its residents whether they have resided here for some time or they are new to the town.
How Common Are Traffic Offences in This Town?
In 2019, toronto.com released an article titled ‘I hate living here’: Stouffville residents speak out against Reeves Way dangers. In this article, Stouffville residents expressed their frustrations with severe speeding on particular residential streets.
Persistent speeding led to accidents on the road, and there was a concern about potentially fatal incidents. Many requested the use of speed humps and other similar strategies.
In April 2020, a 22-year-old driver from Bradford West Gwillimbury was clocked at 170km/h in an 80km/h zone in Stouffville. The driver was charged with several offences, including impaired driving, dangerous driving, and stunt driving.
Other recent incidents include impaired driving, collisions, and speeding, which had the most occurrences. These and similar offences also occur in the other York Region cities.
How Is Traffic Managed in Stouffville?
How Is Traffic Managed in Stouffville?Dating back to 2018, the town of Whitchurch-Stouffville implemented a Traffic Calming Pilot Study with the intention of “ensuring the safety of its residents.” The initial measures put in place were traffic delineators. These objects “create a narrowing effect on the roadway,” prompting individuals to slow down.
Since its initial install, Stouffville continues to use these delineators on specific Stouffville streets, especially during warmer months. Based on observation, they appear to do the intended job, which is to slow down traffic. Drivers are often more mindful of their speed as they navigate through these objects.
Other measures have been applied in addition to this solution, such as roundabouts and speed monitoring boards. roundabouts are commonly used throughout Stouffville. They help to lower speeds, improve safety, decrease the chance of collisions, and afford a “continuous traffic flow.”
Speed monitoring boards, which help measure and display a passing vehicle’s speed, are also visible in Stouffville. Because the drivers can see their speed prominently displayed, they are likely to slow down if they are over the speed limit.
Road Watch has also been implemented, which encourages residents to report any incidents they witness on the road. Those reporting are required to provide their personal information and as much information about the driver as possible.
Overall, the town of Whitchurch-Stouffville is doing what it can to improve safety on its neighbourhood streets. The reduction of speed, pedestrian safety and better driving practices are promoted. However, despite efforts, traffic violations still happen.
Aitken Robertson Can Defend Against Traffic Violations in Stouffville
If you received a traffic ticket in Stouffville, there are a few options available. Of these choices, one of them includes taking the ticket to trial so that you can fight the chargesTM. An advantage of contesting your ticket is that it gives you an opportunity to possibly avoid all of the penalties. Hence consequences such as licence suspensions, insurance increases and fines may be eliminated.
Stunt Driving
In Ontario cities much like Stouffville, stunt driving encompasses various stunts such as wheelies, drifting, purposely following a car too closely, and other related driving behaviours. The most common stunt is driving 50km over the speed limit. Penalties for stunt driving include an immediate 30-day administrative licence suspension and a 14-day vehicle impoundment.
If convicted, the penalties are a fine of not less than $2,000, up to $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, up to 10 years.
Speeding + Minor Infractions
Of all traffic offences, speeding is the most frequent. Speeding in Stouffville, as elsewhere in Ontario, 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
Careless DrivingCareless driving in Stouffville, as in the rest of Ontario, is the act of operating a vehicle without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the highway/ Careless driving consequences can include fines, licence suspension for up to two years, and imprisonment.
Driving with a Hand-Held Device
Driving with a hand-held in Stouffville, as elsewhere in Ontario, refers to the act of using a mobile phone, tablet, or any other communication or entertainment device while operating a vehicle. This is a form of distracted driving. It is considered a traffic violation because using a technological device while driving is identified as a hazard.
Driving Without Insurance
Driving without insurance in Stouffville, as in the rest of Ontario, can occur for various reasons. However, being caught without valid insurance has its implications. The fines for a first offence are between $5,000 and $ 25,000 and for a second offence the fines are from $10,000 to $50,000. And, as with all provincial offence fines in Ontario, there is an additional 25% victim fine surcharge on top of the fine amount. Additionally, your driver’s licence may be suspended for up to a year.
Driving with A Suspended Licence
Driving with a suspended licence in Stouffville, and other Ontario cities is a provincial offence. However, drivers charged with this offence are in some circumstances also charged with the criminal offence of Operation While Prohibited (sometimes referred to as Driving While Disqualified).The penalties for this offence can vary. If it is your first offence, a minimum $1,000 fine and an additional licence suspension.
If the original suspension was because of certain criminal convictions then the minimum fine is $5,000 and the licence suspension is for a minimum of one year. (A 25 % victim fine surcharge is mandatory on all fines.) Imprisonment of up to six months is possible and your insurance rates will go up. If it is your second time convicted of this offence, the penalties are even worse.
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 Stouffville?
How Do I Fight a Traffic Ticket in Stouffville?Receiving a traffic ticket is an unfortunate circumstance that will alter your mood instantaneously. Fortunately, there are options available. The most advantageous option is choosing to fight the chargesTM in court. Doing so may help to minimize or potentially eradicate any penalties associated with the charges received.
Aitken Robertson is committed to helping you fight the chargesTM. We offer free consultations to obtain a comprehensive understanding of your case. Then, if we are retained, our legal professionals can take the time to gather all the essential evidence needed to build a strong case for you.
We aim to make our services accessible to everyone. Hence, we offer a billing method with flexible monthly payment plans. E-transfer is also available which is consistent with social distancing procedures. Are you looking to fight a traffic ticket in Stouffville? Call our office to schedule a free consultation.
Court Information for Traffic Violations in Stouffville
If you receive a traffic ticket in Stouffville, you may be requested to attend one of these two courthouses. It may be heard at 50 High Tech Rd in Richmond Hill or 17150 Yonge St in Newmarket.
The hours of operation at each courthouse are slightly different. Richmond Hill’s court hours are from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Monday – Friday. In Newmarket, the court hours are from 8:30 am – 4 pm.
Due to COVID-19, appointments for in-person court services must be booked online. Once booked, further information will be provided verifying the details of your trial.
If you choose to drive to any of these courthouses, there are parking spaces available on site. However, there are also offsite parking spaces.
Parking
For the Richmond Hill location specifically, the following parking options are available:
Food
While you are present at any of these courthouses, you will likely have a break. This, of course, depends on the duration of your matter. If you are at the Richmond Hill courthouse, here are a few restaurants to consider:
- Nonna’s Oven, Offering sandwiches, pasta, pizzas, and other well-known Italian foods
- King Henry’s Arms, Providing traditional pub foods, such as wings, burgers, etc.
- Citro Restaurant, Serving bruschetta, linguine di mare, penne ala vodka, and other Italian dishes.
