Jami Sanftleben, Paralegal
SHORTCUTS – What You Need To Know Now
Received A Traffic Ticket in Uxbridge, Ontario?
Uxbridge, Ontario is a township located in the Durham Region. In 2016, it maintained a population of about 21,176 people based on reports from the census during this year. This city is admired for its venerable culture, and amazing landscapes.
One of the most popular places here is Cooper’s CSA Farm & Maze. Many individuals from neighbouring cities journey here to enjoy the family fun it provides. Here, you can venture into their renowned corn maze, or enjoy the fresh produce and abundance of pumpkins available. Goats and other farm animals can be found here as well.
What Makes Uxbridge Unique?
In 1885, Uxbridge was established as a town, However, prior to reaching its town status there were quite a few activities. In 1806, Quakers were the first people to reside in Uxbridge, and in 1820 they built the Friends Meeting House. Today, this building stands erected, and it is one of the oldest buildings in this town.
Furthermore, it is Uxbridge’s lush history which makes it a prominent town in Durham Region. Many literary, political and renowned figures have resided here, or have made their mark in Uxbridge. Specifically, Lucy Maud Montgomery, the author of Anne of Green Gables, lived and raised her children in Uxbridge.
Political figures such as Joseph Gould, and Isaac James Gould lived and have had an influence in this town. Although he did not live here, Sir John A. MacDonald frequented Uxbridge during his time. He held picnics in Elgin Park during his re-election. Lt. Col. Samuel Sharpe was also a recognized figure in Uxbridge.
How Is the Commute in Uxbridge, Ontario?
For many individuals living in this town, commuting to Toronto can be quite extensive. This holds especially true if they are travelling via Go Transit, or Durham Transit.
Uxbridge unfortunately does not have a standalone GO station but offers Go buses which connect to Mount Joy Go Station, and your final destination in Toronto. Due to the amount of commuting that is required, some individuals consider travelling in their cars. They choose this option to avoid the stops, and connections that public transit affords.
However, although time may be truncated with this option, daily travelling contributes to an increased amount of time on the road. More commute time has an impactful influence on the potential for a car accident.
HTA Violations in Uxbridge, Ontario
In various regions of Ontario, Highway Traffic Act (HTA) violations occur quite frequently. Speeding and distracted driving tend to be the most common. In 2018, Canadians reported that texting and driving was an imperative threat to their safety on the road. According to recent surveys in Canada, 7 in 10 drivers admit to speeding – a figure that highlights the frequency of speeding.
Speeding & Stunt Driving
In Canada overall, speeding is quite common. In Ontario and other parts of the province its occurrence is quite fixed. Speeding in Uxbridge typically involves driving up to 49km over the speed limit. Driving over 50km is stunt driving.
In Uxbridge and other areas of Durham, the consequences for these traffic violations are quite serious. Your vehicle will be seized for seven days. During the impound you will be expected to pay for any related fees while held. Furthermore, as a high-risk driver, your licence may be suspended, and your insurance premiums will be impacted negatively.
Careless Driving
Another HTA violation is careless driving. In Uxbridge and other regions this involves operating a vehicle negligently. Or, without consideration for others. An example of careless driving can include tailgating another vehicle while driving.
The consequences of careless driving include fines up to $4,000. A licence suspension for up to 2 years and potential imprisonment for 6 months can follow.
Driving with a Hand-held Device
According to CAA’s polling, nearly half of Canadians have used their GPS or mobile phone while driving. In Durham and regions such as Uxbridge, driving with a hand-held is a common issue. The consequences of committing this act include fines up to $3,000, seizure of your vehicle, and higher insurance premiums.
Driving While Suspended
In Uxbridge driving while suspended is a major traffic offence. Similarly, driving while disqualified, which prohibits individuals from driving based on a conviction under the Criminal Code, is also not permitted. Unfortunately, doing so has its penalties which include large fines, hikes on insurance rates, and imprisonment.
Driving Without Insurance
By law, you are required to have insurance when operating a vehicle. In Uxbridge, driving without insurance can result in fines starting at $5,000. Furthermore, your insurance will be impacted substantially, and your licence can be suspended for 90 days. Other serious consequences can also result.
Minor Traffic Violations
Failing to stop for a red light, opening your door unsafely, speeding through a yellow light are just some minor traffic violations. These offences are not permitted and as a result, have their consequences. These include fines, demerit points, and increased 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.
Aitken Robertson Can Help You to Fight the ChargesTM
If you have received a traffic ticket in Uxbridge, ON, consider the legal services of Aitken Robertson. Here, you will have the support of Jami our traffic court paralegal in addition to our extensive and knowledgeable legal team. With our advocacy, we will guide and navigate you through the legal process ultimately ensuring that the best resolve is achieved.
Our office offers free 30-minute consultations. Here, we encourage you to provide further details on your charge. We also take this time to explain further impacts of your charge which often go unmentioned when an officer issues a ticket. Additionally, financial information such as associated court costs and the affordability of our services will be explained.
At Aitken Robertson what matters to you matters to us. If you are interested in booking a consultation, give us a call. We look forward to speaking with you.
