Jami Sanftleben, Paralegal
SHORTCUTS – What You Need To Know Now
Fight a Traffic Ticket in Woodbridge
Woodbridge is a large community nestled in Vaughan. Dating back over 200 years, Woodbridge began as a farming community along the Humber River.
A settlement was built around a flour mill, sawmill and textile mill. More commercial and residential development followed.
Today Woodbridge, particularly its eastern end, is one of the most popular areas in Vaughan for home-buyers, especially those who are seeking to settle down and start a family.1
Woodbridge has impressive parks, community gardens, ravines and natural green spaces. These areas are perfect for individuals that enjoy observing nature.
Some of the local landmarks here include Boyd Conservation Park, Chateau Le Jardin, and the Kortright Centre for Conservation. Woodbridge is a friendly and enjoyable community in which to live.
What Are Some of the Most Common Traffic Offences in York Region?
Woodbridge is located within York Region. In 2016, the census reported that York Region had a population of 1,109,909 people. With that many people residing in the region, traffic offences are practically unavoidable.
A review of the provincial offences court activity in the York Region revealed that speeding, driving a vehicle without a valid permit, and failure to stop at a stop sign were the most common offences.
In York Region in 2019, 42,286 speeding charges were received. Driving a vehicle without a valid permit stood at 13,968 charges and failing to stop at a stop sign received 13,575 charges.2 Not only common in York Region, these offences are frequent occurrences throughout Ontario. The most frequent traffic tickets issued in the province as a whole, are for failure to stop at a stop sign and speeding.3
Traffic violations are inevitable wherever there are drivers. Several factors contribute to the violation of traffic laws. The most frequent traffic tickets issued in the province as a whole are for failure to stop at a stop sign and speeding.
Can Certain Attitudes or Characteristics Affect How Individuals Respond to Traffic?
Can Certain Attitudes or Characteristics Affect How Individuals Respond to Traffic?External factors have their influence on drivers and how they respond behind the wheel. However, in addition to these causes, other elements can lead to mistakes on the road. Certain temperaments or traits can impact driving behaviours.
For instance, a shift in a person’s mood due to a crisis can catapult them from happy to distressed or focused to disoriented. Feelings of anxiety, fear, emotional distress, fatigue and other adverse emotions can also be impactful.4 These emotions can cloud a person’s thought process, causing them to make mistakes on the road.
Footnotes
- https://paradisedevelopments.com/blog/communities/best-neighbourhoods-in-vaughan/
- https://www.ontariocourts.ca/ocj/files/stats/poa/2019/2019-POA-Statute.pdf
- https://www.drivingtest.ca/most-common-traffic-violations/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S136984781830278X
Aitken Robertson Can Defend Against Traffic Violations in Woodbridge
If you have received a traffic ticket in Woodbridge, your best option may be to take it to trial. Doing so permits you to contest the charge and possibly minimize the potential consequences.
Stunt Driving
In Woodbridge, stunt driving includes a plethora of stunts including burnouts, popping wheelies, driving on a bet, chasing another vehicle and other illegal actions. The most common stunt is driving 50 km over the speed limit. The consequences of a conviction for stunt driving include an immediate 30-day administrative licence suspension and a 14-day vehicle impoundment. If convicted, the penalties are a minimum fine of $2,000 to a maximum of $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
In Woodbridge, 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 are traffic offences carrying lesser penalties. Examples of minor infractions include improper lane changes, seatbelt infraction, wrong way on a one way and many others.
Some of the consequences related to these offences may include fines, demerit points, insurance rate increases 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 driving in Woodbridge involves operating a vehicle “without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the highway” (Highway Traffic Act). For instance, applying makeup while driving is considered careless. 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 communication or entertainment device in Woodbridge is a form of distracted driving. Using a device while operating a vehicle such as mobile phone falls under this offence. It is a traffic violation because using a technological device while driving is considered dangerous.
Driving Without Insurance
As in the rest of Ontario, in Woodbridge driving without insurance is the act of driving a vehicle without valid insurance. The penalties for failing to have this validation consist of large fines and possibly a licence suspension of up to a year if convicted.
Driving with a Suspended Licence
Driving with a suspended licence in Woodbridge, as elsewhere, is a traffic offence. It is a provincial offence, but 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).If you are found guilty of this offence, you will be subjected to fines, additional suspension periods and possibly jail.
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 Woodbridge?
How Do I Fight a Traffic Ticket in Woodbridge?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 Woodbridge? Call our office to schedule a free consultation.
Court Information for Traffic Violations in Woodbridge
Traffic offences in Woodbridge 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 are at the court, here are some options to consider:
- Project Fish Sushi + Kitchen, Asian restaurant serving various dishes such as sushi, seafood and other Asian meals
- Novita Italian Cuisine, serving a range of Italian dishes for those who love this cuisine
- Rayon Kebab, love Persian/Iranian food? This restaurant offers traditional dishes at cost-friendly prices
