Understanding Speeding Tickets in Ontario
In Ontario, speeding tickets are issued for driving above the posted speed limits. The process not only involves immediate fines but also affects your driving record, potentially leading to increased insurance premiums and other long-term consequences.
How Does the Law Define a Speeding Ticket
Speeding is legally defined as driving at a speed greater than the posted limit in Ontario. The law classifies speeding based on how much over the limit you were driving, with penalties increasing for higher speeds.
The Costs Associated With Speeding Tickets
Speeding tickets in Ontario carry significant financial and legal consequences that extend far beyond the immediate fine. Understanding these costs is crucial for any driver faced with a speeding ticket.
Admission of Guilt and Its Implications
Paying the speeding ticket means admitting guilt, resulting in a conviction that remains on your driving record for three years. This can lead to an immediate spike in insurance premiums, with more severe offences catapulting drivers into the high-risk category. Being labeled as a High-Risk Driver not only affects your insurability but keeps you in this unfavorable position for a minimum of three years, and potentially up to six years.
Insurance Premiums and Policy Renewal
A single major speeding offence can dramatically increase your insurance costs. Accumulating six or more demerit points may render you uninsurable. Moreover, should you accrue three or more convictions within a three-year timeframe, you might find that some insurance companies will refuse to renew your policy.
Fines Based on Speed Over the Limit
The fines for speeding in Ontario are tiered based on how much you exceed the speed limit:
- Less than 20 km/h over: $3 per km/h
- 20 to 29 km/h over: $4.50 per km/h
- 30 to 49 km/h over: $7 per km/h
- 50 km/h or more over: $9.75 per km/h, with the potential for license suspension
Demerit Points and Their Impact
Speeding tickets also result in demerit points, which vary based on the severity of the offence:
- Up to 15 km/h over the limit: 0 points
- 16 to 29 km/h over: 3 points
- 30 to 49 km/h over: 4 points
- 50 km/h or more over: 6 points
Increased Penalties in Designated Zones
It's important to note that fines are doubled if you are caught speeding in a community safety zone or a construction zone with workers present. This is to deter speeding in areas where safety risks are particularly high.
Your Options
Upon receiving a speeding ticket, you have several options:
- Paying the fine (which admits guilt),
- Pleading guilty with an explanation in hopes of reducing the fine or receiving more time to pay, or
- Contesting the ticket in court to potentially have the charge and/or demerit points dismissed or reduced.
You have 15 days from the offence date to decide your course of action.
Do Not Face Stunt Driving Alone. We can Help You.
At TTAS, we understand the nuances of speeding tickets and the significant repercussions they carry. Leveraging decades of experience and a deep understanding of Ontario's traffic laws, we’re here to guide you through this challenging time. From contesting the initial charges to negotiating more favorable outcomes, our team is committed to protecting your rights, preserving your driving privileges, and minimizing the long-term impacts on your life.
Begin Your Defence Journey with TTAS
- Step 1: Free, confidential case evaluation to understand your options.
- Step 2: Personalized defence strategy tailored to your specific case.
- Step 3: Professional representation in court, aiming for the best possible outcome.
Take Action Now
With TTAS, you’re not alone. If you got a speeding ticket, now is the time to get the experienced legal support you need. Contact us today to start your defence and take the first step towards safeguarding your driving future.
.webp)
.webp)