Don’t panic if you received a speeding ticket. There are so many questions a person will wonder about if they have been charged with a speeding offense. In this brief article, we will speak about some of those questions you may have. Please keep in mind that this article only acts as a guide, and it is always best to talk to a lawyer who specializes in highway traffic acts.

For the majority of people, the most commonly asked question is, will my auto insurance rates go up now that I have a speeding ticket?

In most cases, a moving violation will affect your insurance rate.

How much your insurance rate will be after a speeding ticket is issued to you will depend on if it is your first offense or not. Every insurer will have different rules in the area of traffic offenses.

  NO HIDDEN COSTS

For example, there are some insurance companies that offer a discount for conviction-free drivers. You may lose that status and discount if you have been convicted and found guilty of a highway violation, such as a speeding ticket. If this is not your first offense, your insurance company may even decide to cancel your insurance as you are considered “high risk” in their eyes, and they no longer want to take a chance with you. This will leave you to seek an alternative insurance company that will take on a high-risk client at a monthly rate that is extraordinarily high. Keep in mind this only matters if you are found guilty of a speeding offense. Speaking to a lawyer first and explaining your version of the event may see you found not guilty of anything, which in turn has no bearing on your insurance rate as you are proven innocent of the charge.

Another very commonly asked question is about demerit points. As we know, the more points you have, the worse it is for insurance rates, and you can also be in jeopardy of getting a license suspension. The courts in Ontario follow the below guideline for points.

• 0-15km over: 0 demerit points
• 16-29km over: 3 demerit points
• 30-49km over: 4 demerit points
• 50+ km over: 6 demerit points, suspension of your driver’s license.

Another relevant law is if you are caught speeding at 50 km or more over the speed limit, you may also be charged with stunt driving under section 172 of the highway traffic act.

You have been pulled over by the police and are informed by the officer that you were speeding. First, never create a conflict or argue with the officer as doing this will decrease your chance of any leniency you may get from the police officer. The officer will ask you to produce your driver’s license and proof of insurance, don’t argue on this point ever, hand over your documents. Being pleasant with the officer can, in some cases, see you only get a warning or at least a reduced fine. For example, you have been going 25km past the limit, and the officer will mark it down as 15km over instead. The officer is in charge of the situation, not you, and your fate lies in his hands during a traffic stop. If you were issued a ticket, there would be a fine amount on it. We would advise you not to pay this amount right away as paying the fine is an admission of guilt, which will stay on your record for a few years. This record may affect your insurance rates as it also gains you demerit points on your driver’s license.

Instead, act fast and call a traffic lawyer. Many traffic lawyers will give a free consultation to hear you out and evaluate if they think you have a chance to beat the ticket. Although the law states you can fight a traffic ticket yourself in court, a lawyer who has experience in this sector will give you the best chance of beating the case. Yes, the lawyer will have a fee to fight this for you, but it can prove to be well worth it in the long run financially.

Here at Legal Solutions Law Firm with offices around the GTA, we have the substantial experience you want in Traffic Court fighting for you. We have helped hundreds of people walk away from speeding offenses. We ask you to contact us today for a free no-obligation phone consultation to speak about your cases. We will tell you upfront what can be done in your situation. You do have options. We also offer payment plans and flat rates for all our clients.

Request a free, no-obligation consultation with Legal Solutions Law Firm to discuss your specific legal issues by filling out the form below.