I live in the UK, and was on holiday in Ontario in May when I got pulled over and charged with this offence. Of course, I'd never heard of the law - but I reckon I was driving perfectly safely, having slowed down to pass the police officer, and pulled over as far as I could within my lane to give him plenty of safety space (it was on HW11, really wide lanes). There was other traffic in the outside lanes, so I did not feel it safe to move to the outside lane. So I was really suprised to get the ticket, and even more surprised when, having sent a letter of explanation with the challenge to the ticket, I am being asked to attend trial in August when I'm back in Canada. I will go and fight the case if I have to - but is it likely the prosecutor will withdraw before the date? Is there anything I can do to expedite that? Should I get a lawyer, or just trust to truth, justice and the Canadian way? If anyone can point me to info on court procedures, I'd be grateful (it didn't look like the summons was sent out by a capable person - wrong name, inaccurate charge details, incomplete address). Thanks!
I live in the UK, and was on holiday in Ontario in May when I got pulled over and charged with this offence. Of course, I'd never heard of the law - but I reckon I was driving perfectly safely, having slowed down to pass the police officer, and pulled over as far as I could within my lane to give him plenty of safety space (it was on HW11, really wide lanes). There was other traffic in the outside lanes, so I did not feel it safe to move to the outside lane.
So I was really suprised to get the ticket, and even more surprised when, having sent a letter of explanation with the challenge to the ticket, I am being asked to attend trial in August when I'm back in Canada.
I will go and fight the case if I have to - but is it likely the prosecutor will withdraw before the date? Is there anything I can do to expedite that? Should I get a lawyer, or just trust to truth, justice and the Canadian way? If anyone can point me to info on court procedures, I'd be grateful (it didn't look like the summons was sent out by a capable person - wrong name, inaccurate charge details, incomplete address).
Way to go, OPP! Make sure tourists (that spend a great deal of money in our Province) go back and spread the word about how risky it is to vacation in our "land of unique traffic laws". I live in a city that depends heavily on tourist dollars (Stratford, Ont.) and it is well known by the locals that our police department "looks the other way" when tourists fail to legally negotiate our quirky road networks and poorly designed intersections. It's apparent that municipal police officers have the ability to see the "big picture", and ticket accordingly. The OPP could care less about the economic health of the province. They've been instructed to GET TOUGH, and they are doing it. This "move-over" law is not common throughout the world, and yet we have the gaul to heavily fine tourists who have no way of knowing about it. If I didn't already live here, I would never come here. My dollars would be spent in a more "tourist-friendly" province (or country). Ontario drivers are currently suffering under an oppressive government and police commissioner who are aggressively ticketing "regular citizens" in a desperate (and misguided) attempt to save a few lives lost due to street racing over the past few years. You could call the Prosecutor at the courthouse listed on the back of your ticket. Explain that you DID slow down significantly but were unable to change lanes due to traffic conditions. Express your desire to have this ticket dismissed completely. He will likely counter with an offer of a reduced charge, such as "fail to obey sign", and a reduced fine. It's up to you whether you accept his offer, or proceed to seek advice from a traffic lawyer. Personally (if I could afford it) I would deal with a local lawyer familiar with the subject court and prosecutor. He can represent you completely, and you never have to attend the court. On behalf of Ontario, I apologize for your negative experience here. I hope you'll consider taking in a play at our world-famous Festival Theater some day. Stratford goes out of it's way to see that tourists are treated with the respect they deserve.
Way to go, OPP! Make sure tourists (that spend a great deal of money in our Province) go back and spread the word about how risky it is to vacation in our "land of unique traffic laws".
I live in a city that depends heavily on tourist dollars (Stratford, Ont.) and it is well known by the locals that our police department "looks the other way" when tourists fail to legally negotiate our quirky road networks and poorly designed intersections. It's apparent that municipal police officers have the ability to see the "big picture", and ticket accordingly. The OPP could care less about the economic health of the province. They've been instructed to GET TOUGH, and they are doing it.
This "move-over" law is not common throughout the world, and yet we have the gaul to heavily fine tourists who have no way of knowing about it. If I didn't already live here, I would never come here. My dollars would be spent in a more "tourist-friendly" province (or country). Ontario drivers are currently suffering under an oppressive government and police commissioner who are aggressively ticketing "regular citizens" in a desperate (and misguided) attempt to save a few lives lost due to street racing over the past few years.
You could call the Prosecutor at the courthouse listed on the back of your ticket. Explain that you DID slow down significantly but were unable to change lanes due to traffic conditions. Express your desire to have this ticket dismissed completely. He will likely counter with an offer of a reduced charge, such as "fail to obey sign", and a reduced fine. It's up to you whether you accept his offer, or proceed to seek advice from a traffic lawyer. Personally (if I could afford it) I would deal with a local lawyer familiar with the subject court and prosecutor. He can represent you completely, and you never have to attend the court.
On behalf of Ontario, I apologize for your negative experience here. I hope you'll consider taking in a play at our world-famous Festival Theater some day. Stratford goes out of it's way to see that tourists are treated with the respect they deserve.
It is just not Ontario that has this law of move over, it is a vast majority of USA as well. Municipal police and provincial police are the same...except the shoulder flash. OPP does police many municipal areas. Since we are provincial we are also mandated to the provincial hwys. Our local PD has it's own traffic unit (6 officers and a Sgt) and they hammer traffic all day all night...even more so than we do on the Provincial Hwy...so this statement of Municipal vs Provincial is false! Absolutely we have been told to get tough on drivers who do not obey this law. Out of all the laws we have, this is the top one. It costs taxpayers money to replace damaged cruisers, it costs officers their lives! A police officers life is not worth a driver's 60 seconds to move over and slow down! I treat every driver the same regardless of where the driver is from = ZERO tolerence!
It is just not Ontario that has this law of move over, it is a vast majority of USA as well.
Municipal police and provincial police are the same...except the shoulder flash. OPP does police many municipal areas. Since we are provincial we are also mandated to the provincial hwys. Our local PD has it's own traffic unit (6 officers and a Sgt) and they hammer traffic all day all night...even more so than we do on the Provincial Hwy...so this statement of Municipal vs Provincial is false!
Absolutely we have been told to get tough on drivers who do not obey this law. Out of all the laws we have, this is the top one. It costs taxpayers money to replace damaged cruisers, it costs officers their lives! A police officers life is not worth a driver's 60 seconds to move over and slow down!
I treat every driver the same regardless of where the driver is from = ZERO tolerence!
Above is merely a suggestion/thought and in no way constitutes legal advice or views of my employer. www.OHTA.ca
My opinion is based on my own observations. I've had the pleasure of meeting about 20 different officers on the side of the road, over 30 years of driving. I have always been treated civilly by our local PD. But I have personally witnessed a total lack of self control from 3 separate OPP officers, one of which I seriously question his mental stability. Being somewhat of a "backyard psychologist", I reason it this way: The local cops are more likely to feel "part of the community as a whole". The guy he gives a ticket to today may be in line with him at the bank tomorrow. But the OPP are likely to never see their "perps" again. It's a much less "personal" experience out there on the highways, so it's much easier to vent on some poor sap who dared to defy some statue or question some command. I think that's becoming the norm for most traffic enforcement officers. It's a shame. This man didn't even know about the law and yet he still slowed down and moved over to the left-most part of his lane. He felt quite certain he had taken sufficient steps to see that he provided a measure of safety that the stopped officer deserved. Personally, I think he should have been thanked, not ticketed. And why does this law not apply to a regular citizen out there changing a flat tire on the side of the road. I guess we're not as important. Much like the original poster of this thread, I take steps to improve safety when passing ANY stopped vehicle. So I can sympathize with him. I don't believe this is the type of driver that is plowing in to the back of cruisers on the side of the road. On a side note: I spent a good part of Saturday on the 401 between Kitchener and Toronto. I couldn't help but notice that the right lane was frequently empty of cars! I think most folks ARE aware of this law and they have adapted by staying out of the right lane ALL TOGETHER. I found it very odd to find myself in the right lane with no cars in front of me, while the left two lanes were packed!
hwybear wrote:
...so this statement of Municipal vs Provincial is false!
My opinion is based on my own observations. I've had the pleasure of meeting about 20 different officers on the side of the road, over 30 years of driving. I have always been treated civilly by our local PD. But I have personally witnessed a total lack of self control from 3 separate OPP officers, one of which I seriously question his mental stability.
Being somewhat of a "backyard psychologist", I reason it this way: The local cops are more likely to feel "part of the community as a whole". The guy he gives a ticket to today may be in line with him at the bank tomorrow. But the OPP are likely to never see their "perps" again. It's a much less "personal" experience out there on the highways, so it's much easier to vent on some poor sap who dared to defy some statue or question some command.
hwybear wrote:
I treat every driver the same regardless of where the driver is from = ZERO tolerence!
I think that's becoming the norm for most traffic enforcement officers. It's a shame. This man didn't even know about the law and yet he still slowed down and moved over to the left-most part of his lane. He felt quite certain he had taken sufficient steps to see that he provided a measure of safety that the stopped officer deserved. Personally, I think he should have been thanked, not ticketed.
And why does this law not apply to a regular citizen out there changing a flat tire on the side of the road. I guess we're not as important.
Much like the original poster of this thread, I take steps to improve safety when passing ANY stopped vehicle. So I can sympathize with him. I don't believe this is the type of driver that is plowing in to the back of cruisers on the side of the road.
On a side note: I spent a good part of Saturday on the 401 between Kitchener and Toronto. I couldn't help but notice that the right lane was frequently empty of cars! I think most folks ARE aware of this law and they have adapted by staying out of the right lane ALL TOGETHER. I found it very odd to find myself in the right lane with no cars in front of me, while the left two lanes were packed!
I couldn't help but notice that the right lane was frequently empty of cars! I think most folks ARE aware of this law and they have adapted by staying out of the right lane ALL TOGETHER. I found it very odd to find myself in the right lane with no cars in front of me, while the left two lanes were packed!
that's b/c you were driving this...
Above is merely a suggestion/thought and in no way constitutes legal advice or views of my employer. www.OHTA.ca
lol, imagine driving that! _____________________________ Roger101 Btw, you would probably want an experienced Paralegal to advise and help you out with this ticket. Not a lawyer, since most lawyers dont handle traffic tickets, actually none that I know of in Ontario. Paralegals will do a great job. To be referred to a Paralegal by this site, simply fill out the form at the bottom of the page. Good luck on your traffic ticket.
lol, imagine driving that!
_____________________________
Roger101 Btw, you would probably want an experienced Paralegal to advise and help you out with this ticket.
Not a lawyer, since most lawyers dont handle traffic tickets, actually none that I know of in Ontario.
Paralegals will do a great job. To be referred to a Paralegal by this site, simply fill out the form at the bottom of the page.
roger101, Your charge should be considered a "strict liability" offence which means your defence should be one of reasonable care. Strict liability offences cannot convict a morally innocent person. This is different than an "absolute liability" offence which does not care what excuse you have, if you broke the law then you are guilty. Your charge under 159.1(1) of the Highway Traffic Act says you must slow down, and if possible change lanes. It sounds like you tried to do this. Prior to trial, request disclosure. You should have a notice of trial with the address of the court where you can send a disclosure request. Ask for everything that will be used in evidence against you and, without limiting this general request, also ask for: a full copy of the police officers notes; a copy of both sides of the officers copy of the ticket (Notice of Offence); a typed version of any hand written notes; witness will say statements; witness statements; any statements made by the defendant; and copies of the original notes of such statements. In order to convict you, the officer has to testify that you didn't slow down and that you didn't change lanes. Disclosure will allow you to find out what he's going to say and what you said to him (hopefully nothing). Your defence is that you believed you were slowing down and trying to change lanes. Whether you did or not is immaterial in strict liability offences. You don't have a lot of time...August is pretty quick for a trial. Just curious, where did you get the ticket?
roger101, Your charge should be considered a "strict liability" offence which means your defence should be one of reasonable care. Strict liability offences cannot convict a morally innocent person. This is different than an "absolute liability" offence which does not care what excuse you have, if you broke the law then you are guilty.
Your charge under 159.1(1) of the Highway Traffic Act says you must slow down, and if possible change lanes. It sounds like you tried to do this.
Prior to trial, request disclosure. You should have a notice of trial with the address of the court where you can send a disclosure request. Ask for everything that will be used in evidence against you and, without limiting this general request, also ask for:
a full copy of the police officers notes;
a copy of both sides of the officers copy of the ticket (Notice of Offence);
a typed version of any hand written notes;
witness will say statements;
witness statements;
any statements made by the defendant; and
copies of the original notes of such statements.
In order to convict you, the officer has to testify that you didn't slow down and that you didn't change lanes. Disclosure will allow you to find out what he's going to say and what you said to him (hopefully nothing). Your defence is that you believed you were slowing down and trying to change lanes. Whether you did or not is immaterial in strict liability offences.
You don't have a lot of time...August is pretty quick for a trial. Just curious, where did you get the ticket?
As long as you're not a "Back Door Psychologist".......... The officer could have exersized "Diplomatic Discression" on this one..... Thats my 3 cents, 1 cent for GST+PST
Being somewhat of a "backyard psychologist",
As long as you're not a "Back Door Psychologist"..........
Make sure tourists (that spend a great deal of money in our Province) go back and spread the word about how risky it is to vacation in our "land of unique traffic laws".
The officer could have exersized "Diplomatic Discression" on this one.....
Thats my 3 cents, 1 cent for GST+PST
http://www.OHTA.ca OR http://www.OntarioTrafficAct.com
I don't know what they would charge, but it can also save you the hassle of doing all the work yourself. I think they would charge you a fair price. You can fill out the form at the bottom of the page for a traffic ticket paralegal to contact you.
I don't know what they would charge, but it can also save you the hassle of doing all the work yourself. I think they would charge you a fair price.
You can fill out the form at the bottom of the page for a traffic ticket paralegal to contact you.
I will be going to trial for my red light camera offence.
I'll be arguing two issues, centered on the fact that there are two essential elements of 144(18) - a) a vehicle approaching the intersection shall stop; and b) the vehicle shall not proceed until green. Both essential elements must be contravened beyond a reasonable doubt to be an offence.
1) My ticket says I (being the owner) am "charged…
I know that the RIDE program has been covered extensively in these great forums, but I have a question about the stop itself:
I recently was stopped for a RIDE Program and the officer asked me to roll the window down all of the way (I had it at half and could easily communicate with them). I told them that I could hear them just fine and they insisted I roll it down all of the way. Again I told…
Not sure the right place for this so if it needs to be moved please do so.
I was stopped today for 15 over the speed limit, I gave all the documents to the officer and he said he could not accept a photocopy of my ownership only the original I had a photo copy front and back and I had my plate sticker number with it.
he gave me a ticket for HWY ACT Section 7(5)(a) he said only the original would…
Hey! I'm from Sudbury Ontario. Hope that general talk is fine for this subject
I am very serious about looking for exact ruling about underfacing lighting
Section 14 clearly states:
Red and blue lights to the front restricted
(14.1) In addition to the lighting requirements in this Part, a police department vehicle may carry lamps that cast red and blue lights, but no other motor vehicle shall carry…
i was driving my dad's car when i was caught by the red light camera in Brampton. My dad would've to take time off work to go ask for a trial and then go to one.
Can i represent him? if yes, what do i need to do?
I was pulled over and told I went through a red light during a right turn. I learned through a friend who is a police constable that the one who pulled me over is new to the job (under a year, and possibly even the first month or two of real duty).
I was given a ticket for $180. I have some questions:
(1) Is this offense automatically associated with 3 demerit points? I see no mention of them on…
I got a ticket for 'Disobey Stop Sign' in November of 2013 (in York Region), requested disclosure and went to court in August of 2014. At my first appearance, I did not plea but requested an ajournment to to consult legal advice. The JOP set the next appearance in September.
I contacted a paralegal about my options. He told me that on my next appearance, if the police officer did not show, the…
I had a trial and found guilty, but the trial seemed to go wrong since the beginning.
The JP asked me if i am intending to take the stand- I said NO.
I asked how to submit my evidence-documents and photos.
JP said-i have to take the stand if i want to submit evidence.(Now i am finding this is wrong-i could introduce my evidence during cross examination and my defense would be much stronger)
Ottawa, Canada (AHN) - Beginning Tuesday, or April Fool's Day 2008, fines on Quebec drivers caught overspeeding will be doubled. It is not only the money penalty that will go up, but also demerit points.
The new law, Bill 42, is similar to Ontario's street racing rule. It stipulates fines for motorists who drive at over 40 km/h at under 60 km/h zones, speed at 50 km/h at 60 to 90 km/h areas and…
Make big trucks go slower and the roads will become safer.
Obvious, isn't it? It's also obvious when you look out the window that the world is flat.
Last Monday, truckers in Ontario tried to mount a convoy to Queen's Park to show their opposition to electronic speed limiters. These devices, electronic chips in trucks' engine management systems, restrict speeds…
I was out on a four lane highway around Orangeville Ontario and I noticed a school bus coming south (I was going north). I kept my eyes on the bus in case it was going to stop. As I approached it, it was slowing down a little, but no lights, and especially no arm with the STOP sign. As I was just about to pass the bus, I still did not see the lights, nor did I see the STOP sign.
Hey everyone first off I'd like to say great website, I have been reading and it is very useful
I'm posting today as I'd like to get some feedback on my situation and have a couple of questions. Please excuse the vagueness in some areas - I don't want my case to be identifiable given the small town.
So I was driving up north and was pulled over by an OPP SUV for doing 31 over. Cop drove past me,…
Driving on a 80km/hr highway the car ahead hits the brakes and slows to 55, l slow down right behind him no reason to slow down traffic was moving between 80 and 90. I notice the driver is on the phone and looking through papers on the passenger seat. He begins to start to go a opp officer drives by doing 80 plus in oncoming lane turns around and says l was following to close. Told him what was…
My son was making a right turn at the intersection he had a green so slowed down looked and proceeded into the turn. It was pouring rain and the was a big pool of water as he got arround the curb. He tried to keep the car going sharp right however it slid into the car making a left turn. the lane he was turning into is very narrow and at a very busy corner. He paniced and left the scene only…
I had an collision the other day. I was turing left and ran into a car going straight in the opposite direction. The insurance company has already determined that I'm at fault, since I made the left turn. But I'm wondering whether I should go on trail and at least I might get rid of the ticket. The ticket was under 142(1)
I was told that if I go on court, both the guy I hit and the officer who…
question for a friend of mine.....says she got a 3 day suspension for giving a A on a roadside. Thing is she wasnt driving. She is a g2 driver and the car was parked in a parking lot, she just ran out to get something and turned the car on. Can a 3 day be issued if you arent driving on a highway - (I've read for impaired it doesnt matter, but 3 day isnt criminal)? And is there any way to…
I can't find the category for this post so I'm posting it here.
Two questions...
1. Are golf carts considered a 'vehicle' under the Highway traffic act? I know carts can't drive across roads or on roads but if you try to bring one from the USA into Canada they are considered a 'vehicle'.
2. If you are on private property are you allowed to carry 'opened' alcohol in your golf cart? I know golf…
I got pulled over (along with about 10 other cars) for going through a road closed sign. I had just pulled out of a parking lot pretty much right beside the road closed sign, and with about 4 cars behind me there wasn't much I could do but go through, so I think I have a good chance of fighting it. However, on my ticket under the Signature of issuing Provincial Offences Officer, it's left…
I was driving westbound on Hwy. 8 earlier this month in North Dumfries Township, approaching the Cambridge city limits. The weather was clear and the roads were dry. I noticed a vehicle on the shoulder on my side of the road, pointing towards me. This didn't concern me right away, as it is a rural area and I sometimes see vehicles doing mail delivery. The vehicle then started accelerating and…
I was pulled over yesterday in a community safety zone and told I was doing 84 in a 50. When i passed the officer I looked at my odometer and I was only doing 64. I was given a summons on the spot to appear in court at the end of June. Do I have any chance in this if it comes down to his word over mine. I was in the car alone but have travelled these same roads every day, twice a day for 6 years…
who is at fault when :a) a passenger opens door and jumps out of vehicle onto the road with traffic. b) he gets hit by a car travelling in the adjoining lane. c) traffic lights were green. d) pedestrian crossing was further up and indicated "no crossing" light e) the vehicle that he exited from leaves the scene as soon as accident occurred. f) no charges have been laid after police filed report…
