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Got a Careless Driving Charge?

If you're charged with careless driving, you'll definitely want to be represented by the experts at TRAFFIC STOP® This is arguably one the most serious charges under the Highway Traffic Act (H.T.A.) of Ontario.

Consequences of a Careless Driving Charge

If convicted of careless driving, you will get 6 demerit points on your drivers licence/abstract. Your insurance premium will then skyrocket for up to 3 years. Some insurance companies will drop you as you will be viewed as too “high risk” to continue to insure. You may only be able to get facility rated insurance rates, which are even higher premiums.

Greg Eschweiler, the President of TRAFFIC STOP® is an Ex Cambridge O.P.P. Traffic Cop who spent his entire career specializing in traffic enforcement. Who better to represent you in traffic court? He will defend you with his years of knowledge gained investigating thousands of collisions on Ontario’s highways. From fender benders to fatalities, he did it all. He's licensed by the Law Society of Ontario to represent you in Ontario courts.

Understanding the Careless Driving Charge

A careless driving charge is best described as a “blanket charge” meaning that most officers are instructed by their superiors to lay this charge in ANY accident situation. This blanket charge means it covers all other Highway Traffic Act charges that could/should have been laid instead of careless driving. Since careless driving is the most serious charge, it leaves an option to be pled out to a number of minor charges underneath it. Don't make the mistake of thinking you can handle this yourself.

How TRAFFIC STOP® Can Make a Difference with Your Charge

There are many factors to consider with a careless driving charge. Hire the industry leading experts at TRAFFIC STOP® and we'll get the best possible results for you. Don't try to defend yourself on this charge. If you do, perhaps you feel that the prosecutors offer to reduce the charge to a 4, 3 or 2 demerit point offence is a good one and you take it, that could be a costly mistake. There could have been shortcomings in the case against you that you would not have known about, we would have found them. Our firm could very likely have beat it totally or had it reduced to 0 demerit points. This is where all of our years of experience come in to play for you.

If you’re in stop-and-go traffic and rear end someone, is that careless driving? Losing control and driving off the road into the ditch—is that careless driving? To the officer who handed it to you, it is. Can TRAFFIC STOP® help minimize or eliminate the charge? We sure can.

The Different Types of Careless Driving Charges, Penalties & Fines

Part 1 Careless Driving Ticket Section 130 (1) H.T.A.

A $490 fine
6 demerit points
The start of 3-5 years of massive insurance rate increases
6 demerit points will come off your record 2 years after the offence date
Conviction stays on your driver's abstract forever

Part 3 Careless Driving Summons Section 130 (1) H.T.A.

A fine not less than $400 and not more than $2,000
A Summons ordering you to attend court
If you do not appear, a warrant for your arrest can issued
6 demerit points
Jail for up to 6 months
Drivers licence suspension for up to 2 years
Conviction stays on your drivers abstract forever

Part 3 Careless Driving Summons Causing Bodily Harm or Death Section 130 (3) H.T.A.

A fine of not less than $2,000 and not more than $50,000
A Summons ordering you to attend court
If you do not appear, a warrant for your arrest can be issued
6 demerit points
Jail for up to 2 years
Drivers licence suspension for up to 5 years
Conviction stays on your drivers abstract forever

What the Highway Traffic Act Says & How TRAFFIC STOP® Helps

Section 130 (1) of the Highway Traffic Act reads, “Every person is guilty of the offence of driving carelessly who drives a vehicle, or street car on a highway without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the highway and on conviction is liable to a fine of not less than $400 and not more than $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than 6 months, or to both, and in addition his or her licence or permit may be suspended for a period of not more than 2 years.”

Section 130 (3) Causing Bodily Harm or Death reads the same, but has higher fines, longer jail sentences and licence suspensions as listed above.

Fortunately, TRAFFIC STOP® is here to assist you. We've been helping people beat this charge for the last 21 years.

Get help today by visiting us or using our online consultation form.