Wherever you are residing in Canada, you have to abide by a particular set of rules while you are driving. The punishments and penalties for reckless driving will vary from place to place. However, we will be talking about Ontario while we talk about this specific scenario.
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Careless driving Ontario
Driving carelessly can be defined as managing your vehicle on the road without giving the consideration that should be given to the other vehicles that are driving on the same road. Determining if the driver is exhibiting carelessness depends mostly on the officer’s judgment.
Most of the time, careless drivers have to be held accountable in case of major or minor accidents. But don’t think that you will only get caught if you get yourself into a proper accident. Police can also point out those drivers who pose the risk of potential accidents.
Since careless driving is vague and leaves room for various interpretations, people can consider defending themselves in court for getting out of penalties.
What actions are considered careless on the road?
Even though this is a grey subject, there still are some outlining principles that can be regarded as completely careless and punishable by law. Some of them are:
- Not maintaining a safe braking distance between your car and the next one.
- Having another car hit you from behind.
- Damaged rear or side mirrors
- Changing your lane without making use of the indicators
- Holding or using your phone while you drive
- Reading a book while driving
- Driving beyond the speed limit
Driving without insurance Ontario
These are a few points that may end up in a violation.
How to handle a driving charge in Ontario
The issues that result in bad driving charges outweigh the perils of defending yourself in court. If the result of such driving was an awful one and resulted in major injuries, you can face heavy fines and imprisonment.
If you choose to defend yourself against the charge, you need to be able to convince the authorities that the way you were driving was harmless, and the judgment of the officer was incorrect. Moreover, you would have to get professional help, like from traffic ticket defense services.
You need to be highly familiar with the pieces of evidence that the court might be used against you in the case of careless driving. So, talk to a lawyer beforehand. You need to understand your strategy. Do not head into the situation unprepared.
In Ontario, you will have to bring the case under the consideration of the court in less than 15 days. So, you may also request an early trial date.
Last but not least, you need to have a set of questions prepared that you can ask the officer and present witnesses. Your questions must draw favorable answers from the mouths of the witnesses.
Driving without insurance Ontario
Another offense that is very casually carried out in Ontario is going around in an uninsured vehicle. It is not considered to be a criminal offense, but the penalties and fines that you will be charged will are outrageous. Thus, it is better to be wary of the consequences.
If you are found driving a car without insurance in Ontario, you will be charged at least $5,000, and your license will be suspended as well. The range of the suspension will be between 30 days and a year. Your car can also be impounded for at least three months.
Thus, this risk is not worth the consequences. Not only this, but you will also have to pay for the damage done to your car yourself.
Conclusion
In the above article, we have outlined the nature of careless driving and its results in Ontario. Driving carelessly may not be a criminal offense, but it still has dire consequences.
