On September 19, 2018 I was pulled over and given a ticket for a holding a hand-held communication device. I was in the left hand turning lane with 5-6 cars in front of me. I unfortunately and mistakenly picked up my phone to look at gas prices (obviously in hindsight not important and could've waited). The light had just turned red so I (mistakenly) thought I would have plenty of time to quickly check the app and turn it off immediately. As I looked up from the phone to see traffic in front of me. I noticed a police officer on a motorcycle had pulled alongside me. I put the phone down and as we moved forward through the advanced turn left lane, he merged behind me and pulled me over. He explained and I know now that holding or "using" any cellular device is illegal and gave me the $490 ticket. This is my first traffic ticket, I've never even been pulled over for speeding. I've gone through the long process of pleading not guilty, asking for a court date, which will be on March the 4th. I've also requested disclosure of evidence and only received the officer's notes from the day and attached them and the original ticket below. I've tried follow the steps outlined on this site and by others going through similar situations. At this point, I would just like some guidance. It seems to me it would be a difficult case to fight and I am leaning towards calling the prosecutor to discuss some sort of plea deal. If anyone could take a look at the officer's notes (hard to read at some points) and the original ticket to offer any advice would be much appreciated. I know what I did was wrong and am not looking to get away Scott-free but perhaps reduce fee or demerit pts. if possible? They stay on my record for 3 years I believe? But do not affect insurance? Correct me if I'm wrong please. I am no longer a student but do not have a permanent job as of yet - not sure if that helps or would be taken into consideration. Any advice on how to proceed, again would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
On September 19, 2018 I was pulled over and given a ticket for a holding a hand-held communication device.
I was in the left hand turning lane with 5-6 cars in front of me. I unfortunately and mistakenly picked up my phone to look at gas prices (obviously in hindsight not important and could've waited). The light had just turned red so I (mistakenly) thought I would have plenty of time to quickly check the app and turn it off immediately. As I looked up from the phone to see traffic in front of me. I noticed a police officer on a motorcycle had pulled alongside me. I put the phone down and as we moved forward through the advanced turn left lane, he merged behind me and pulled me over.
He explained and I know now that holding or "using" any cellular device is illegal and gave me the $490 ticket. This is my first traffic ticket, I've never even been pulled over for speeding. I've gone through the long process of pleading not guilty, asking for a court date, which will be on March the 4th. I've also requested disclosure of evidence and only received the officer's notes from the day and attached them and the original ticket below.
I've tried follow the steps outlined on this site and by others going through similar situations. At this point, I would just like some guidance. It seems to me it would be a difficult case to fight and I am leaning towards calling the prosecutor to discuss some sort of plea deal. If anyone could take a look at the officer's notes (hard to read at some points) and the original ticket to offer any advice would be much appreciated.
I know what I did was wrong and am not looking to get away Scott-free but perhaps reduce fee or demerit pts. if possible? They stay on my record for 3 years I believe? But do not affect insurance? Correct me if I'm wrong please. I am no longer a student but do not have a permanent job as of yet - not sure if that helps or would be taken into consideration. Any advice on how to proceed, again would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
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Handheld device conviction absolutely can impact your insurance. Here are the notes typed out. They are pretty clear, but there were a couple words there I couldn't make out. "Wednesday 19, Sept 2018 I was working in uniform operating mc 33/302 (motorcycle and police vehicle ID number) n/b (northbound) Salem Rd in left lane. Vehicles in left turn lane stalling/sitting (?) for red light. I was slowly driving beside vehicles observing for drivers using cell phones. I observed a blue VW Gulf stalling/sitting (?) in left lane. Male driver was holding a black (?) style tablet. Phone in right hand positioned (?) below right side of steering wheel. Driver was looking at phone and manipulating face. When he looked up and saw me, he set down (?) phone on his right leg. Driver ID of valid Ontario (?) DL (Drivers License), Permit, Ins (Insurance) Card Vehicle - 2010 VW Gulf 4 door hatch blue 1 Occ (Occupant) Clear, Dry, Sunny"
Handheld device conviction absolutely can impact your insurance.
Here are the notes typed out. They are pretty clear, but there were a couple words there I couldn't make out.
"Wednesday 19, Sept 2018
I was working in uniform operating mc 33/302 (motorcycle and police vehicle ID number) n/b (northbound) Salem Rd in left lane. Vehicles in left turn lane stalling/sitting (?) for red light. I was slowly driving beside vehicles observing for drivers using cell phones. I observed a blue VW Gulf stalling/sitting (?) in left lane. Male driver was holding a black (?) style tablet. Phone in right hand positioned (?) below right side of steering wheel. Driver was looking at phone and manipulating face. When he looked up and saw me, he set down (?) phone on his right leg.
Driver ID of valid Ontario (?) DL (Drivers License), Permit, Ins (Insurance) Card
Sorry let me clarify. I was referring to the demerit points - do they affect insurance rates in Ontario. I would like not to have them of course. But should I put effort into getting rid of possible or just trying to lower the fine?
Sorry let me clarify. I was referring to the demerit points - do they affect insurance rates in Ontario.
I would like not to have them of course. But should I put effort into getting rid of possible or just trying to lower the fine?
The easiest way to explain this is, insurance companies don't care about demerit points. They are simply a way for MTO to track poor drivers. Tickets are generally broken down into one of three categories. Minor, major and serious/criminal. An example would be a speeding ticket for 15 over. There are no demerits. 20 over, there are three. Most insurance companies would treat them and all minor offences the same. They care about tickets.... period. Get two or three 15 over and they will likely boost your rates up. It's difficult to say if any particular ticket will boost your rates. It depends on your age, how many tickets you've had and other factors. You may want to anonymously contact your insurance company to see how this could theoretically impact insurance rates. The courts can not convict for an offence and remove the demerits. They are applied post conviction by the MTO. No tickets on your record is the only way to go!!!
The easiest way to explain this is, insurance companies don't care about demerit points. They are simply a way for MTO to track poor drivers. Tickets are generally broken down into one of three categories. Minor, major and serious/criminal. An example would be a speeding ticket for 15 over. There are no demerits. 20 over, there are three. Most insurance companies would treat them and all minor offences the same.
They care about tickets.... period. Get two or three 15 over and they will likely boost your rates up.
It's difficult to say if any particular ticket will boost your rates. It depends on your age, how many tickets you've had and other factors.
You may want to anonymously contact your insurance company to see how this could theoretically impact insurance rates.
The courts can not convict for an offence and remove the demerits. They are applied post conviction by the MTO.
No tickets on your record is the only way to go!!!
Am really confused about this one, this morning i got a reduced speeding ticket (80km speed in 60 zone), and in the ticket the cop wrote 10km over the speeding limit.. and it has the 'R' code in it.. and the cop said i need to pay this and it doesn't have any points on it..
im fine with paying the ticket which is only 40 dollars but my biggest concern, will it show in my record ? or only tickets…
I got a ticket for driving with handheld device in Oct 2015 and I had requested for a trial. Yesterday I received the notice of trial (notice is dated 26-Jan-2017, court of trial is Newmarket, ON) and trial date is Mar 8, 2017. Today, I have sent in a registered request for disclosure (i.e on 29-Jan-2017).
Need some help here for the 1st time speeding ticket?
Sunday morning 12:10am when I was going home from work I was doing bit speeding on Gardiner. I was going with about 130km/h. I know its fast. I always take the same way and I know where the cops hide. They always hide entrance of the highways. If I will do speeding I always look my back and did look this time too. I took gardiner…
I just have a question in regards to the summons Under Part 1 I received for an rear end accident:
I was driving on the 2 lane road, and the car in front of me suddenly stopped, I had seen the car, and so I started to brake, however I heard noise from the back and looked int o the rear view mirror and saw a huge "truck" so I decided to go right, took the feet out of brakes but couldnt…
I have searched and I know the general rule is no, barring criminal charges or tresspassing. So let me use 2 specific issues I have.
1) I have some business in some area malls after hours. Once I have pulled into the mall lot on the way to the closest door I rarely stop at stop signs unless there is a car or person nearby. (i do not carelessly speed, i do show caution, just do not fully stop) Can…
In June at 401 London and Wellington I got hit twice, speeding which I didn't realize I was doing and cell phone. The Officer made me open my purse and show him my phone. I was going to meet a Rep of my Company in Kitchener, he called I answered. WRONG! The Officer wasn't even nice. My record was clean and he slapped me twice. I sat in the car and sobbed for 20 minutes as I was scared out of…
I wanted to "reply" elsewhere...but the more appropriate areas were "locked" to replies....so, here are a couple of questions...from a newbie to this site:
1. Who ARE you? (I'm a little edgy about conversing on a forum whose ownership is not stated anywhere on an "About" page") No offense intended whatsoever. Just like to know who I'm talking with/in front of.......your honor!
You are coming off of a highway exit and there are 3 lanes: right hand lane for right hand turn; middle lane for left AND right turn (but no straight thru since it is only a three-way intersection); and left lane for left hand turn. You are first in the middle lane, signalling to make a right.
CAN YOU make a right hand turn from the middle lane on a red if the traffic is clear?
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.
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Hello! I'm under 16 currently and really want to drive. I know that section 37(1) says you have to be 16, but I've read that the HTA does not apply when you are in private property, so does that mean I can drive in a parking lot if I wanted to?
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So I got convicted of a dui.. I have been riding my bike in the snow and taking the bus. I am a driving enthusiast and I will be going to the race track all summer but I NEED to drive something right now!
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Hey this is my first ticket so as much information that people can provide will be appreciated. I was making the drive home going around 90kph(in a 80) behind what I knew was an undercover police car. The cop abruptly pulled to the side and pulled back in behind me to pull me over. Now I reduced my speed to below 80 when the cop pulled to the side but he claimed he had me clocked at 109kph and…
So I was heading home to today and I was in the left lane of the off ramp, some lady cut across her lane of traffic and across the off ramp median and hit the back side of my car! After a few meters of bumping (I was dazed and confused) I stopped the car.
I call 911 and was told to move the car to the shoulder.
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An undercover cop, well not sure if he was even a cop to be honest, maybe a constable pulled me over after I passed him shortly after a construction zone. He asked me if I was in a rush and said that he was going 105 and I was going 120. It seems mostly from our conversation that he was pissed off that I passed him, because he never told me that I was speeding. None the less the ticket says…
I got this ticket last year in toronto and received court date recently.
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When I returned I saw the ticket and then noticed the fire hydrant and when I to the…
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I recently received a ticket for red light fail to stop under section 144 (18) of the Highway Traffic Act at the intersection of Dupont St. and Dufferin St. in Toronto with a set fine of $150 and total payable of $190. I think I entered the intersection on a yellow, however that is not the way the officer saw it. During the traffic stop the officer was polite bordering on friendly…
Got my first ticket last Thursday and I have a couple of questions. I was driving westbound on Moore St. (west of Bayview) and made a left onto a residential street at a 4-way stop sign. It was my first time driving through that area - was driving my girlfriend to a wisdom tooth surgery.
The police were set up to catch people, as that intersection had a no left turn sign from 7-9 am (buses…
