In Ontario, careless driving charges have been on the rise for a number of years. This is due to a higher number of drivers on the roads as well as the overuse of "careless driving” tickets by police officers. Drivers who are charged with careless driving should always seek legal counsel in order to fully understand the full implications of the charge and what rights are available to them.

 

Many motorists simply pay the fine associated with a traffic ticket and hope that the offense will go away. In almost every case, this is a regrettable course of action. A careless driving charge is a serious offense that will have drastic effects on your ability to drive for many years. Careless driving charges remain on the driver abstract for a period of 3 years.

 

 

Drivers are responsible for operating a motor vehicle with due care and attention at all times. This includes providing reasonable consideration for other people using the road. A failure to comply with these requirements can result in a careless driving charge. The most common scenario for careless driving charges to be laid is following a collision.

 

The description of what constitutes careless driving is broad and leaves a lot of room for subjective interpretation from both police officers and the courts. This subjective interpretation allows police officers to charge people with careless driving even when there are other lesser infractions that are more suitable.

 

There are two types of careless driving charges that are possible in Ontario. These types of careless driving charges are:

 

Part 1 Ticket – Allows the driver the option of entering a plea on the charge. Conviction of a Part 1 careless driving offense carries a maximum fine of $2,000 and six demerit points.

 

Part 3 Summons – Requires the driver to attend court to face the careless driving charge. This is the more severe charge which carries a maximum fine of $2,000 and six demerit points. In addition to the fine and demerit points, there is also the possibility of a six-month imprisonment and a two-year license suspension.

 

It is important to understand that insurance companies do not differentiate between Part 1 and Part 3 careless driving offenses. Conviction of careless driving results in severe insurance rate increases; it is very common for insurance companies to refuse to provide insurance to drivers who have been convicted of careless driving.

 

 

If you have been charged with careless driving it is important to seek legal counsel as soon as possible. Experienced traffic ticket agents can inform you of your options while reviewing the case and advising the best way to proceed. In most cases, this involves fighting the charge and attempting to have it completely dropped. In the event that there is overwhelming evidence that limits the chances of fighting the charge, a plea can usually be negotiated for a much lesser offense.

 

Find out how an experienced traffic ticket agent can help you successfully fight your Ontario careless driving charge today.