Careless driving is a serious offence that carries hefty penalties and demerit points. A conviction also stays on your record for 3 years. If bodily injury or death results, the penalties are much more severe and could include criminal charges. It is important to consult with a ticket specialist to discuss your case and the best defenses available.

What Is A Careless Driving Ticket?

Careless driving is one of the most common tickets issued by police officers. It is a blanket offence that encompasses multiple offences, such as failing to maintain a safe distance from other drivers, not checking your mirrors before switching lanes, and speeding excessively. Although a careless driving conviction does not result in jail time, it can still have serious consequences. It carries heavy fines and demerit points and may lead to your licence being suspended for up to two years.

Unlike reckless driving, which is a criminal offense, a careless driving ticket does not go on your criminal record, but it can have a huge impact on your insurance rates. Thankfully, most careless driving charges can be successfully defended by a competent traffic lawyer. Even if you’re guilty, it’s important to fight the ticket so that you can get the penalties reduced and keep your licence.

What Are The Penalties For A Careless Driving Ticket?

A careless driving ticket in Canada is a serious violation. It could result in hefty fines and even license suspension. In addition, the conviction will likely have a significant impact on your insurance rates. Police officers will typically issue a careless driving ticket ontario when they believe that the driver’s behavior was unsafe and caused a collision with another vehicle or pedestrian. The most common actions that can be considered as careless driving include following too closely, failing to check your mirrors before changing lanes, dangerous passing and excessive speeding.

Unlike criminal offenses such as dangerous or distracted driving, which are punishable by jail time, a Careless Driving charge does not go on your criminal record. However, it’s still important to prioritize safety and take your driving seriously, as even a single careless driving offense can have a long-term impact on your life.

How Can I Fight A Careless Driving Ticket?

Unlike some other traffic tickets, careless driving is not considered a "blanket offense", meaning that you can actually get your ticket dismissed by presenting a strong defense in court. The key to doing this is framing your argument in a way that addresses the specifics of the charge. It is a mistake to argue that the incident did not cause any damage or that there was no accident, as this will not hold up in court.

If you choose to fight the ticket, you will be required to file a notice of trial within 15 days. Then, you will need to request all information the prosecutor has on your case (called disclosure). During this time, it is important to prepare for the hearing and hire an experienced team of traffic lawyers who can help you win your case. At Mavericks Legal Services, we have helped many clients win their careless driving charges. Contact us now to discuss your case for free!

How Can I Pay My Careless Driving Ticket?

Getting charged with careless driving is one of the most serious types of traffic tickets. This is a charge that will have an immediate impact on your insurance rates and could cause you to have problems finding new coverage, with some insurers even canceling the policy altogether. The penalties, fines and demerit points for careless driving vary depending on the circumstances of the incident, but it is always considered a very serious offence. It is important to understand that a conviction for this offence will result in hefty fines, demerit points and license suspensions.

It is also important to note that a careless driving charge is not a criminal offence, but is found in the Highway Traffic Act which is a provincial statute, while dangerous driving is a criminal offense and would be dealt with under the Criminal Code of Canada. This is important because a criminal offense carries significant jail time and prison sentences and will show up on your criminal record.

Conclusion

Getting a careless driving ticket in ontario can have major impacts to your record, insurance and fine. Learn more about this offense in our article, including the definition of Careless Driving Charges, Demerit Points, and Fines. A conviction for careless driving is a serious offence that carries severe penalties, including 6 demerit points, a fine, and potential jail time. It does not appear on your criminal record but can have serious impacts to your car insurance rates.