I got a ticket the other day for following too close and have scheduled a meeting with the prosecutor and am wondering if there is a possibility of a lighter charge that they could knock it down to because I really don't feel this is worth 4 demerit points. Here's the situation: It was in a known speed trap area in town and I had actually consciously thought that the police might be out at this time. But, the driver in from of me was traveling 40km/h (the posted speed limit) so I figured I had nothing to worry about. Wrong. It's an interesting road and there is a general consensus that the speed limit is far too low (probably why they're able to catch so many speeders). It's a 40 road with lanes wide enough to fit a car and a half that only has the backs of houses facing the road. Down the road from where I got pulled over there is a high school and an elementary school. The speed limit in front of the high school is 40 and in front of the elementary school is 50 (that makes sense in somebody's mind I guess). Anyways, it was around lunch time and a bus was going in the opposite direction and the car in front of me and myself were going down the hill. Once the bus had passed the guy in front of me got spooked and put on his brakes (the natural reaction to cops even if you're going the limit). No collision occurred but I was a bit closer than I usually would have been since he had just braked rather suddenly. At this point the officer working the radar gun motioned to me and told me to pull over and issued a ticket for following to closely. In my mind I had left ample room to brake in time to avoid a collision (shown by the obvious evidence that my car doesn't have a nice dent on the front bumper now). It was a 40km/h road so the speeds obviously weren't as dangerous as on a faster road. But, nonetheless there are still 4 demerit points attached to this ticket. Essentially had I been going 89km/h on the road and been ticketed for the my fine would have been bigger but I would have only got 4 demerits. I'm wondering though what the prosecutor can really offer with my situation. From a quick look I can't really see another similar offense that it could be knocked down to so is there anyway that they can issue the fine ($110 isn't a huge hit to me) and just scrap the points involved? Or is the prosecutor able to change it to an unrelated offense of similar fine value (I'm guessing this is probably a big no no)? Thanks for the help and I appreciate any comments.
Just got a call from the prosecutor and she tells me that the only thing she'll offer me tomorrow is to withdraw the charges if I enroll and complete a driver's education program. In all honesty I think I'm going to go with it seeing as how I can schedule the program around my work schedule and it basically makes everything go away. $110 ticket + Insurance hikes + 4 Demerit will almost certainly cost me more than the driver's ed. However, I'm really curious because one of the things she mentioned was that I was observed following too close for 600m by the officer. At a rate of 40km/h (the posted speed limit) this means the officer claims to have observed me for 54 seconds before pulling me over. The road itself according to Google Maps is approximately 1km long between intersections (I was stopped according to Google Maps at around the 600m mark). So based on this I must have been observed following too closely since the intersection. There's one slight flaw in this case that this road is on a hill and there is really only 200m-300m visibility from my direction from where she was standing. Had I not been offered the deal I was I have a feeling this could have struck pretty reasonable doubt into the officer's ability to estimate distance (overestimating by 2 to 3 times on such a large scale :wink: ).
Just got a call from the prosecutor and she tells me that the only thing she'll offer me tomorrow is to withdraw the charges if I enroll and complete a driver's education program. In all honesty I think I'm going to go with it seeing as how I can schedule the program around my work schedule and it basically makes everything go away. $110 ticket + Insurance hikes + 4 Demerit will almost certainly cost me more than the driver's ed.
However, I'm really curious because one of the things she mentioned was that I was observed following too close for 600m by the officer. At a rate of 40km/h (the posted speed limit) this means the officer claims to have observed me for 54 seconds before pulling me over. The road itself according to Google Maps is approximately 1km long between intersections (I was stopped according to Google Maps at around the 600m mark). So based on this I must have been observed following too closely since the intersection. There's one slight flaw in this case that this road is on a hill and there is really only 200m-300m visibility from my direction from where she was standing.
Had I not been offered the deal I was I have a feeling this could have struck pretty reasonable doubt into the officer's ability to estimate distance (overestimating by 2 to 3 times on such a large scale ).
Most driver ed courses are held on weekends, and consist of 4 in-class lessons (25 hours altogether) and 10 driving lessons, which you can schedule with the instructor according to your schedule. I took one. Helps insurance rates... A quick question: how old are you? If you are a younger driver (<25), your insurance might actually decrease.
Most driver ed courses are held on weekends, and consist of 4 in-class lessons (25 hours altogether) and 10 driving lessons, which you can schedule with the instructor according to your schedule. I took one. Helps insurance rates...
A quick question: how old are you? If you are a younger driver (<25), your insurance might actually decrease.
"The more laws, the less justice" - Marcus Tullius Cicero
"The hardest thing to explain is the obvious"
From looking online I believe there is a distinction between the "typical" driver's education programs and the one I would be taking. I found some programs offered by Young Drivers of Canada Driving School specifically for people who have been referred by the MTO because of traffic violations, which is what I assume I would be enrolling in. The course itself appears to be much lighter than the usual driver's ed (which I have already taken) and appears to only include 2 sessions from 9-1:30 that I should easily be able to work into my schedule.
racer wrote:
Most driver ed courses are held on weekends, and consist of 4 in-class lessons (25 hours altogether) and 10 driving lessons, which you can schedule with the instructor according to your schedule. I took one. Helps insurance rates...
A quick question: how old are you? If you are a younger driver (<25), your insurance might actually decrease.
From looking online I believe there is a distinction between the "typical" driver's education programs and the one I would be taking. I found some programs offered by Young Drivers of Canada Driving School specifically for people who have been referred by the MTO because of traffic violations, which is what I assume I would be enrolling in. The course itself appears to be much lighter than the usual driver's ed (which I have already taken) and appears to only include 2 sessions from 9-1:30 that I should easily be able to work into my schedule.
Hmmm, very interesting, they referred you to Young Drivers. Those are the most expensive driver's ed courses I saw when I was looking for one. I ended up paying $500, when YD wanted $800 (for the dubious privilege of driving in a Toyota Camry instead of Chevy Cobalt, I think)
Hmmm, very interesting, they referred you to Young Drivers. Those are the most expensive driver's ed courses I saw when I was looking for one. I ended up paying $500, when YD wanted $800 (for the dubious privilege of driving in a Toyota Camry instead of Chevy Cobalt, I think)
"The more laws, the less justice" - Marcus Tullius Cicero
"The hardest thing to explain is the obvious"
Okay so I went this afternoon and got all the details. My assumptions were wrong that they would be sending me to young drivers (which would have cost $330), they are actually asking me to go to a specialized driver's course that specializes in skid control and accident avoidance. The total price to me should be around $400. Also as this seems to be a more specialized/valuable program in my eyes I believe it will be worth the extra money. In the end $400 to potentially make me a better driver + a squeaky clean driving record again seems worth it and to answer the earlier question I am still a young driver (<25).
Okay so I went this afternoon and got all the details. My assumptions were wrong that they would be sending me to young drivers (which would have cost $330), they are actually asking me to go to a specialized driver's course that specializes in skid control and accident avoidance. The total price to me should be around $400. Also as this seems to be a more specialized/valuable program in my eyes I believe it will be worth the extra money. In the end $400 to potentially make me a better driver + a squeaky clean driving record again seems worth it and to answer the earlier question I am still a young driver (<25).
Hmm... insurance rates will probably go down due to specialized training, your record is unblemished, they withdrew the charge, and the $400 cost on this would've been less overall than the insurance increase + ticket if you'd been convicted. I'd say you did really well with this one.
Plenderzoosh wrote:
they are actually asking me to go to a specialized driver's course that specializes in skid control and accident avoidance.
Hmm... insurance rates will probably go down due to specialized training, your record is unblemished, they withdrew the charge, and the $400 cost on this would've been less overall than the insurance increase + ticket if you'd been convicted. I'd say you did really well with this one.
Hmm... insurance rates will probably go down due to specialized training, your record is unblemished, they withdrew the charge, and the $400 cost on this would've been less overall than the insurance increase + ticket if you'd been convicted. I'd say you did really well with this one. I haven't heard of insurance rates dropping for skid control schools. It makes sense but....... I have been wrong in the past though....
Radar Identified wrote:
Plenderzoosh wrote:
they are actually asking me to go to a specialized driver's course that specializes in skid control and accident avoidance.
Hmm... insurance rates will probably go down due to specialized training, your record is unblemished, they withdrew the charge, and the $400 cost on this would've been less overall than the insurance increase + ticket if you'd been convicted. I'd say you did really well with this one.
I haven't heard of insurance rates dropping for skid control schools. It makes sense but....... I have been wrong in the past though....
http://www.OHTA.ca OR http://www.OntarioTrafficAct.com
Well I did my course just yesterday and I have to say it was well worth the $395. I'd say I probably learnt a lot more useful things in that one day that I did in my numerous days of standard drivers education. I'm going to try sending off the certificate to my insurance company and we'll see if they do anything for me.
Well I did my course just yesterday and I have to say it was well worth the $395. I'd say I probably learnt a lot more useful things in that one day that I did in my numerous days of standard drivers education. I'm going to try sending off the certificate to my insurance company and we'll see if they do anything for me.
So heres my case, does it have any validity? Im argueing that the officer did not have a justified view of where and if my car stopped or not, which it did.
This is the officers view of the stop sign i "disobeyed"
Another possible viewpoint, just so i can say that he cant see regardless
As you can see he cannot see the line where i must stop
As close are possible (which he wasnt) to the intersection,…
I need some help to settle a "Right of Way" argument. I know this question has probably been asked a thousand times before, but after doing a search, I was unable to find a posting on the forum, or the specific section in the OHTA relating to it.
Scenario:
Two cars approach an intersection where the east and westbound directions are controlled by stop signs, and the north and southbound…
I was pulled over for doing 123 in an 80 zone on highway 7 near Peterborough. The officer reduced it to 109 in an 80. It was HIGHLY unlikely that I was going 109, let alone 123, so for the merit of it I am taking this to court. Court case mid January.
Please could you help me to decipher the officer's notes. Are there any errors in the notes or on the ticket that you can see?
Ive already done searches, read the act as best i can but still haven't read a complete answer. Where in the HTA does it state that the front license plate must be attached to the front bumper? I have it on the passenger sun visor (if ppl remember the old temp permits that taped to the pass side of windshield) i figured that this spot would be the same. However now they have got rid of…
Was pulled over earlier today for going 95km/h in posted 60km/h, 2nd offense (same cop that pulled me over the first time &gt;.&lt;) ticket of $265. going down dougall toward cabana where it goes from the 80 to 60 zone (yes was over slightly coming in and kept speed)
Just wondering what the best way to handle this? (location: windsor ontario)
I am a bartender and last saturday night while I was working someone backed into my car (2000 Acura Integra) in the prking lot. One of the cooks in the kitchen ran to tell me my car alarm is going off. Immediately I ran outside to discover my driver side mirror smashed on the ground and my driver door dented. There was nobody around to claim responsibility. I had already begun to suspect one…
Scenario regarding speeding charge - if a charge is not reduced at all at roadside, i.e. the charge, for example is "speeding 75 km/h in a 60 km/h zone contrary to s. 128," should that not mean the prosecution needs to prove that you are guilty of what you are being charged with, and not, simply, of speeding generally? I understand that if they prove a charge of even 61 km/h in a 60 km/h, they…
In a nutshell, in York Region, ran a stale yellow, cop was on a 407 off ramp and tickets me for red light. 2 week old pink slip, I forgot I put the new behind the expired one so I got a ticket for that as well.
Had the first court date adjourned because I did not receive disclosure. I used the Ticketcombat template and faxed it over, they told me I never left a phone number. No surprise there, I…
Was stopped in an OPP speed trap on eastbound QEW near Hamilton at 1:30 AM last week (Apr 25th). Officer said I was doing 131 km/h based on radar gun but I thought I was around 120 km/h (I let off the gas and looked at my speedo when I saw the 2 cars on the shoulder). It was a dark stretch and it was not busy but there were a few other cars on the highway. I asked to see the reading but they said…
1) Discovery info includes 3 pages of Genesis radar manual. Officer's notes show he used "Atlantic Laser" to measure speed. Didn't show model # (only s/n). The Genesis was used earlier on in the day, but not for my case. Can I grill him on this or is it simply a clerk's error in sending me the wrong manual?
I got a ticket for an expired licence sticker. The next day I went to the Ministry office to renew my sticker. I thought that I HAD to pay any outstanding tickets BEFORE I was eligible to renew my sticker. The lady at the desk informed me that I had an outstanding balance and 407 bill that I had a to pay and I told her that I was aware of that. I thought everything was cleared.
Last week I was driving though downtown and because of the slippery / wet conditions could not stop when the light was turning yellow to red and slid in to the intersection. I was hit by another car (near the headlamp). None of us were injured, there was significat damge to the cars. The air bags did not deploy.
I was given a ticket that reads : Red Light - fail to stop - H.T.A sect 144 (18) Fine…
I was just wondering if there was any text in the HTA that suggests that when driving on a highway with three lanes going in each direction, drivers should generally always be in the rightmost lane unless they are passing.
At first, I thought 154(b) was what I was looking for, but now I'm not so sure?
"Officials in West Vancouver, Canada apparently aren't satisfied with the driver-slowing properties of traditional speed bumps. Yesterday, the town unveiled a new way to entice motorists to ease off the gas pedal in the vicinity of the ÃÂcole Pauline Johnson Elementary School: A 2-D image of a child playing, creating the illusion that…
Does anybody know how you can check the status of your Demerit Points and how many you have collected over the last two years?
I just received a ticket as I was travelling through Barrie and am debating whether or not to fight it. My decision will be based on whether or not an infraction I received a year ago came with Demerit Points.
I have a question I would like to ask concerning turning right on a red light.
I was approaching on the right turn only lane to the traffic light which turned from amber to red. As soon as the red light came on, there were advance green left turn arrow for the intersection I was for the cars that were traveling right to left and left to right of me. Since there was a lot of traffic from where I…
So I got pulled over for speeding and following too close, on HWY 11 north of Barrie. The airplane caught me! I will fight this as I have fought ALL my tickets and won EVERY ONE of them (one per year... man I need to drive slower). So any thoughts out there on how to fight this one? Does the Crown have to bring the 2 officers in the plane, plus the one in the cruises to court? If 1 in 3 doesn't…
I am new to this forum and before making this post I did some digging and was unable to find anything on this method of officer note taking.
A little back ground of my case:
charged with 25km/h over the posted limit.
After numerous disclosure requests, finally received a detailed disclosure including several pages of the lidar manual and typed officer notes describing the events of my…
My wife was just pulled over for running a yellow light and instead was ticketed for an expired drivers licence. The license expired on her birthdate 4 months ago and she didn;t recieve a renewal. $325 !!!!!!
Hope someone can help. She was ticketed under HTA 32 (1) with the offense shown as
"Drive Motor Vehicle no license"
Can anyone tell me if this is worth the effort to get a reduction in the…
So I got pulled over for supposedly for running a stop sign. The problem is that I did a complete stop, waited a split second and started again. And yes I did stop behind the white line.
He took my information and went back to his car to write me up a ticket, came back and gave me my fine and explained to me the process. He gave me a reduced fine (65$ and ne points).
Someone has an accident in a car worth very little on highway 401 but the car is not drivable (but not in terrible shape), there is a police report filed right away in which no other cars were involved, however the car did strike a guardrail. Is it possible to handle this without involving insurance? Or is a forgone conclusion insurance will be notified by the police?
I made a minor mistake on my disclosure request - I put a "Request Date" of September 10, 2014 instead of 2015. The rest of the form is correct including offense date, fax date, trial date.
Will this affect my disclosure? Do I need to clear it up?
Also, I noticed the Ticket Combat disclosure form has a lot more information than what was posted in on this site. Is it OK to send a second…
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