Hi all,

I was (recently) involved in a traffic accident where, due to icy road conditions, I slid into oncoming traffic while making a right turn, while they were coming towards me and stopping at a stop sign. This was a residential area and there's no way I was exceeding anything over 20KM/h on that turn. Regardless, I think I'll likely be found at fault given the front-on collision was on the oncoming lane.

No one was injured, nor were airbags deployed. The police declined to come to the scene, given no injuries, but requested we report to a Collision Center.

I arrived at the Collision Center but the report was brief. The other party I hit came in shortly after me (while I was making the report) and joined me to make the report together. Other than mentioning to me "so, you were going too fast", the police officer seemed to just glance at pictures of the accident on our phones before typing in his report. He didn't mention anything else and the report likely took a total of 5-10 minutes.

I thought I got off scot-free, but my brother mentioned that there is still a possibility of receiving a ticket (i.e. careless driving) through the mail. Is this possible - I'm quite worried about this as this is my first driving infraction and the possible 4 demerit points is steep.

Apologies for the long discussion but I'm honestly losing sleep over this (I know...). Thanks for your help, everyone!

I believe careless is 6 points, and you can count on your insurance being cancelled. Do you not have a copy of the accident report? You could still be charged. A ticket must be served personally. A charge by way of a summons must be served within 6 months. That being said, if you were charged you can pretty much always plea it down to a minor offence.

Even if you are not charged the accident as you described it will likely be deemed a 100 percent at fault accident by your insurer. (I hope you have accident forgiveness.)

Thanks for the response!

No accident report, all the officer gave me was a "collision information exchange form" brochure which noted the officer information and incident number. He said everything will be sent to our insurance and that was that.

Is it common for officers to show-up at your door to deliver a ticket?

It happens, I wouldn't say it's unusual, but not overly common either. Usually when people go to the reporting centre they all say they were the ones driving properly so there isn't much basis to issue a ticket.

WHAT are you saying that people "lie" or expand on the truth.......... NEVER LOLZ

ynotp wrote:

It happens, I wouldn't say it's unusual, but not overly common either. Usually when people go to the reporting centre they all say they were the ones driving properly so there isn't much basis to issue a ticket.

sabs wrote:

Hi all,

I was (recently) involved in a traffic accident where, due to icy road conditions, I slid into oncoming traffic while making a right turn, while they were coming towards me and stopping at a stop sign. This was a residential area and there's no way I was exceeding anything over 20KM/h on that turn. Regardless, I think I'll likely be found at fault given the front-on collision was on the oncoming lane.

No one was injured, nor were airbags deployed. The police declined to come to the scene, given no injuries, but requested we report to a Collision Center.

I arrived at the Collision Center but the report was brief. The other party I hit came in shortly after me (while I was making the report) and joined me to make the report together. Other than mentioning to me "so, you were going too fast", the police officer seemed to just glance at pictures of the accident on our phones before typing in his report. He didn't mention anything else and the report likely took a total of 5-10 minutes.

I thought I got off scot-free, but my brother mentioned that there is still a possibility of receiving a ticket (i.e. careless driving) through the mail. Is this possible - I'm quite worried about this as this is my first driving infraction and the possible 4 demerit points is steep.

Apologies for the long discussion but I'm honestly losing sleep over this (I know...). Thanks for your help, everyone!

You can be charged up to 6 months after the offence date. Generally if you are charged after the offence date, the offence will be issued by means of summons which opens you up to a greater range of penalty (possible higher fine, and a possible court issued licence suspension). Careless Driving falls under section 130 of the HTA and can be found in full here. Hopefully you will not be charged and your report will be the end of it.