Interestingly, Chris posted this information as a comment in an irrelevant place which qualifies it as spam. However, unlike most spam I come across, his comment is useful so I thought I’d post it here:
The best advice is not to speed. But it’s going to happen, everyone speeds, the police, the Judges and the prosecutors.
How do you avoid a ticket? There are times and places where you are more likely to get a ticket. School zones and anytime you see a Community Safety Zone are areas that the police are going to target with speed enforcement. Be aware on long straight stretches of roadway, and as you come over the crest of a hill or going down any hill.
The police look for good places to catch offenders. They don’t always base the set up of a speed trap on the whether there is a good reason to do enforcement, but more on the fact are they going to get tickets.
Always pay attention to the posted speed limit. If you don’t see the speed signs the limit in the city is 50 and outside the city its 80.
If you re driving 10 to 15 km/h over the limit your very unlikely to get a ticket. The police are regular people doing a job. They are going to use common sense and not stop people speeding a little over the limit. Most officers will set a personal limit as to what they feel is acceptable. A lot of officers will use over 15km per hour and some will say 20km/h. The limit the officer makes is totally within his discretion, and an officer could write you a ticket for even one kilometer over the limit, but we have never seen it happen.
If you see a police car or officer, stay within the speed limit. If you pass a police car even speeding slightly you could be stopped and given a ticket. It’s wise to let police vehicles pass or reduce your speed in the vicinity of a police vehicle.
Some officers using radar target the passing lane, especially on the 400 series highways in Ontario. Conventional radar targets the largest, fastest object therefore don’t be the lead vehicle.
Laser radar can pick a vehicle out of a group of cars all the officer has to do is target the vehicle and pull the trigger recording the speed. Again if you’re the first vehicle, your going to be the first vehicle checked for speed. Never be the first vehicle in a line of speeding vehicles. You can read more at www.Ontariospeeding.com
I would like to add a little hint too since I have received 2 speeding tickets in the last few years and I consider myself a pretty safe, conservative driver and I have been driving for over 25 yrs with no previous tickets-but apparently I’m not! I think it is a good idea to try to ALWAYS know what speed you are going at. I know this sounds stupid but here is one of my stories.
One of my speeding tickets was on Bayfield Street in Barrie– and anyone who knows this road is wondering how you get a speeding ticket here when the traffic hardly moves, BUT it was on a Sunday morning in an area right before the speed limit changes from 50 to 80. The first question the officer asked me was “Do you know what speed you were travelling at?” I said no and then he proceeded to tell me that I was going 80 in a 50 but he would knock it down to 70 which meant a ticket of $100 and probably a couple of points. I had just stopped at a red light so I was VERY doubtful that I had reached 80km in such a short distance but whatever! Then he said that I could go to the local police station and write an “aggresive driving test” and only pay $145 and the ticket would be torn up. I was like, what?? why would I do that? THEN I came back home and everyone said, Write the test!Write the test! so I drove back to Barrie and studied their manual on “aggresive driving” and wrote the “short” test-(NOT!), paid my money-OUCH! and they tore up the ticket.
ANYWAYS, the moral of the story, I think, is to really KNOW what speed you are going all the time and know what the speed limit is as it changes all the time. This may sound obvious but it helps to keep you in that “safe” range AND when the officer asks you, you will have an answer which may affect the amount of the ticket and whether you lose points.
It amazes me how many people speed these days with the cost of insurance! I have to say that getting a speeding ticket really affects the way that you drive afterwards– as in –I learned a lesson and I do drive differently. I hate giving my money away! What a waste!
Be careful out there!
This website is kinda outdated but it still applies: http://www.magma.ca/~fyst/
Hi,
I just read your replies about speeding tickets and I’m desperate to find out how I can go about writing the aggressive driving test so that I can get a speeding ticket “torn up”…can anyone help?
Jane
It was me who wrote the aggressive driving test at the police station in Barrie. I doubt that you can do it unless it was offered at the time of the ticket like mine was. I think this may have been a Barrie police idea that they started.
Now, since I wrote the last message about my great idea to “watch your speed” at all time, I just got ANOTHER speeding ticket on Tuesday! GRRRR!!!!! Thankfully, the officer knocked it down from at $260, 3 point fine to a $40 fine so I guess it was my “lucky day”??? I cannot believe that I got another one. I hardly ever speed! I’m such an old mama driver!!
My husband got one last month and he took the option to go to court and his was drastically reduced and he did not lose points. I think this would be the BEST thing to do if your ticket was not reduced at the time you got it. ALSO read the stuff on the website suggested above by Super Bachan. It is quite helpful and interesting.
Good luck! I know your desperation!
The FYST site is excellent!! I got a ticket about a year ago which I fought. Before the court session started the prosecutor asked my plea and when I told him confidently Not Guility and that I was fully prepared for trial he was very impressed. Most people just walk in and hope the officer doesn’t show up then start making up excuses. I was grinching as I heard people backpeddling. I knew the cop hadn’t shown up so was very relaxed, even joking around with the prosecutor and those Pointts guys! I had to hold back laughter when they called my name and told me the charge was dropped.
I admit I go a little above the limit sometimes, but who doesn’t? I’m definitely not one of those idiot agressive drivers. If I ever get ticketed again I will follow the FYST advice and fight it every time.
Hello,
I am new to this site.
I had an accident and got “careless” ticket.
I don’t know what to say in court?
I was driving 70km on Gardiner Highway, at night, where I saw two cars ahead of me had stopped with no visible break light.
I applied my breaks but it was slippery, so I just slide for about 120 meters and hit the two stopped cars.
There was no way the cop would believe that the cars had already had hit each other. He claimed that I was totally responsible for the two cars’ damages.
I need help, because I am innocent, really!
Thanks
Vida
You’ll probably have to get one of the other drivers (the one who didn’t cause the initial accident) to corroborate your story. The poor weather conditions will also work in your favour to reduce liability. One of those cases where it might be best to get some professional advice.
In ontario, speeds are so outdated.. they still expect people to drive 100 km an hour. almost everyone drives 120.. rarely do cops even give out tickets for anyting under that… but when you do get a speeding ticket.. its a lot larger then it should be!
Oh, and cops.. are wrong.… sadly can’t pull up their recored when you fight a ticket.
I was in a hurry, thoughts were all over the place– and I blew by a school bus with its red flashing lights on. Just my luck, there was a cop right at the corner who claimed to have seen it all happen. Traffic ticket here we come! Anyways, long story short got slapped w/ a $500.00 ticket and 6 demerit points! There goes my insurance rates, and my bank account!! That’s what I THOUGHT, until I found Street Legal @ http://www.street-legal.ca they were great, affordable AND won my traffic ticket case for me!
It is completely incorrect to assume that going 10–15 km/h over the limit is safe. This is true only in 100 km/h roads, with light traffic. If you are booting along in a 40 zone going 10 over you will be pulled over. The general rule is 10% over the limit, in practice its more like 15–20%
407 is a different story all together, set your cruise to 119 and you’re golden (i bet you’ll be passed by everybody too)
I got this email from my mom a month or so ago.…
SPEED TRAPS — NO JOKE…CHECK IT OUT
ALL,
This is interesting , but since none of you ever speed, then you can choose to ignore it… When you get the web site up, click on the state or province. Then the next window is a listing of all the cities in that state or province. Click on your city and there are the speed traps listed.
I had no idea this was available to everyone. I even posted a few comments of my own on there.
http://www.speedtrap.org/speedtraps/stetlist.asp
There is a lot of information for speeding over 50km over in Ontario located at http://www.torontotraffictickets.com/racing-tickets.html Stunt driving is a new law passed in 2007 that holds severe penalties for drivers speeding over 50km. Many OPP are issuing these tickets and the consequenses are an immediate one week suspension of your drivers license, impoundment of your car, thousands of dollars in potential fines (likely at least $1000) and increased insurance premiums. If you’re going to speed do it on a race track otherwise you may get charged with Stunt Driving in Ontario.
Toronto Traffic Tickets located from the http://www.torontotraffictickets.com is under investigation from the upper law society for operating as an unlicensed Paralegal. I can not believe they are advertising on this site. The name of their company changes every week. Be careful folks:
http://www.webleeches.com/notification_center.htm
Yes, make sure if you must use a paralegal that they are licensed now. I would never use one anyway, but only because I worked in Traffic court for so many years I can do what they with my eyes closed.
Also if you have a speeding ticket that you know you cannot win (and rarely are they won, unless they are withdrawn because the officer did not show up), you can always talk to the prosecutor before court in the courtroom and they will usually make a deal and drop the speed which in turn lowers the fine and also the points, if any.
Hi,
I just got a speeding ticket about 30 mins. ago. Apparently I was doing 120km in an 80km zone..(Which I know I was only doing 95). Regardless, the officer made it seem like he was cutting me a huge break by lowering it to 95km/h and no demerits…
Even though I have no demerit point deductions is a ticket for 15 over 52$ in change worth fighting?
Can this affect my insurance rates?
I was driving on the Woodbine Ave close to elgin Mills Rd. toay in the morning, I got caught by a cop which I dorver 100 km/hr at the 60 km/hr zone. He reduced my ticket to 10km/hr.….…do you think if I should fight for it at the court? Or I should just pay for it.….…I am just afraid that the insurance will be increased since I got a ticket of 15 km/hr on the HWY 401 on last Victoria day Long weekend.
I got a speeding ticket 2 weeks ago. I was doing 86 in a 60 (it is an open road with no buildings/houses on it — but hey I was speeding). Cost me $171 and 3 points.
my advice is always go to court to fight it. Almost 100% of the time the JP (or sometimes its not the JP but someone else?) will sit with you beforehand, you can explain your side, and they will offer you a reduction in fine/charge. You then go in front of the judge and they say you have accepted a lower charge or whatever, and you’re outta there!
Well as far as your insurance is concerned don’t voluntarily let them know let them pull an MVR on you, if there is anything they will call you. But Insurance companies are in the business of making money so they won’t pull an MVR on you unless they have a reason, or there is a change in your coverage.
Best advice don’t bother them and they won’t bother you.
I just went to Walmart and packed next to the exit as I rushed in to pick up a snowthrower at 730Pm, which was heavy and already fully paid. I thought a 5 minutes quick pickup should be ok, but only to find a parking enforcement service guy was putting a ticket on my windshield. I explained so hard to him that it was loading the heavy stuff into my car. But he said he could not cancel the ticket of $100.
Does anybody know that it is legal to park and load the product you buy in front of the door?
Thanks for advice.
It depends: if you were blocking a fire hydrant, or were in a no parking zone (for firetrucks), then, yes, they can give you a ticket. I would fight it, say that you were stopping, or something like that.
I heard that cops can’t park in private driveways anymore to catch speeders. I can’t find any info on the web. Can anyone shed any light?
I got caught while a cop pulled out of Picov’s driveway in Ajax.
About year ago I got my first speeding ticket going to school (York University). The officer say I was doing 65 in a 40 zone, he said he would drop it down to 20 over and 3 points. My court date is set for October is there anything I should do to prepare for this or any advice on what I should do? Any help will get appreciated and I wasn’t the only one caught that day cop stopped all 4 cars that were driving guess he was making quota.
When I was a kid, my dad got a ticket in Vancouver for going 2km/hr over the posted speed limit while going downhill and we were from out of province…
I have measured several car speed using my GPS, unless the tires are nearly bare, the speed the car reports is always over what the GPS reports, My truck reports 120, when I am doing 110! Also I have always wondered how accurate the radar is? Should it be calibrated?
A lot of good tips here. Luckily, if you live in the GTA, there is now a way to 99% guarnatee that any ticket — speeding or parking — will be dropped. One of the wonderful little loopholes of our Canadian justice system. If you’ve ever wondered how FedEx and Purolator drivers can stop and park wherever the hell they please in this city at any time and not get ticketed, there’s a reason why. In fact, since word started to spread around the office, several of my coworkers have now successfully had tickets dropped because of this. Only problem is, it’s given everyone “a license to speed without recourse”.
In response to Andrea, there is such a thing as right of way, and the police have right to access it, which means they can use your driveway to do radar checks for a public road but not use it for the private driveway itself. Had an officer in Barrie try this a few years ago on our driveway on Essa Road. My husband told him to move as he did not have permission to be on private property and he was blocking the entrance for 2 different duplexes. Cop was NOT pleased and took off flying, never to be seen doing radar around our home again!
Something about this discussion really disturbs me.
Would it be okay to discuss and scheme on how to get out of a DUI charge? Dangerous driving is dangerous driving! You don’t get a speeding ticket because you drove with EXCESSIVE speed just once. It’s because you speed excessively a lot!
I’ve driven 24 years without a speeding ticket and I’m not one of these drivers that slow everybody down. I go with the flow (admittedly over the speed limit) and stay to the right.
Check this out:
http://www.canada.com/news/sobs+hysterically+after+truck+kills+toddler+Vancouver/1933081/story.html
This happened a couple blocks from where I live and I had just walked through the intersection about an hour before. We don’t know exactly what happened yet but I think it’s an example of what COULD happen if you drive with a lead foot.
If a speeding or careless driver killed someone you love would you still try to rationalize it and make excuses? Where’s the shame?!! GROW UP!!!
mcminsen,
If the speed limit on the highway was 40 km/h and people were doing 100 km/h, it might be illegal, but it is definitely not dangerous. Safe speeds are affected by tons of variables like the weather, traffic conditions, the equipment on your car, even your mood, not white signs with black numbers on the side of the road. Speeding tickets are, most of the time, cash grabs.
The gist of my rant was that I think the above discussion gives impetus to the very worst of drivers to continue their dangerous driving habits.
What role (if any) does enforcement have in making our roads safer? Where do we draw the line and how hard to we draw it?
I got a speeding ticket in burlington ont. 65km in a 50 km zone. I am from lewiston NY US. can anyone tell me to ignore it , fight it ?? The cop put my plate # on the ticket but wrote ON instead of NY on the ticket, so I would think it is not valid. I do not want any hassles going over in the future from customs, etc.
Thanks
Tickets are mostly just a funding mechanism for the Police,…Many U.S states have High way Speed limits of 70 mph or more ‚Why Don’t we?…(Police lobby for the lower Speed limits = $ for them )
Ontario is a cess pool of roid rage cops. Tourism is a all time low because of high police presence. You will get a ticket for basically anything under the sun in this shithole. Do your self and your pocketbook a favour and avoid this police province.
extraordinary article! I’ve actually appreciated it!
I think that the cops are sometimes in it for the money. Let me explain.
The police probably have a ticket quota to meet and need to get so many tickets each month
Can you imagine what would happen if no tickets were issued? People would start asking why we have a police force. People might even consider reducing the number of employed police officers: why do we pay for so many police officers when there are no tickets?
So to keep their jobs, police officers issue so many tickets each month and have a ticket quota to meet.
8 months ago I got my first speeding ticket (Willson Ave., Toronto). The officer say I was doing 74 in a 50 zone. My court date is set for 15 September, is there anything I should do to prepare for this or any advice on what I should do? Any help will get appreciated, I never been in a court before. I am worry about my insurance rate. Thanks
i got a stunt racing ticket for going 65km/hour over the speed on the highway 404. my car was immediately towed and license suspended, any idea how bad the ticket fine may be? and the best option for me?
Guys
I drove to Chicago this past weekend and while on my way i was caught speeding. The officer gave me a $95 ticket and asked me to pay it. My question is if there is a way to avoid any points deduction on my Canadian license. I have no problem paying the fine but im extremely concerned about point deduction. And ya, I’m a Canadian Citizen.
Any suggestions would be helpful!!!
As a cop I would like to inform you we do not have a quota
“As a cop I would like to inform you we do not have a quota” ok, officer you dont have a quota system. but you do call it a “productivity goal” which operates under the same principles of the end of the month quota system.
Hi Officer, remember us? You threw us away when you became a power hungry cop who issues tickets for a monthly quota.
HELLO, I HAVE DRIVEN A TRANSPORT FOR JUST OVER 41 yrs. accident free & ticket free. and on april 30TH/ 2012 . I GOT A TICKET FOR 10KMS. OVER. THIS WAS JUST 2 DAY,S AFTER BUYING A 2012 FORD ESCAPE , WITH A 6 CYL MOTOR. AND BEING USED TO DRIVING A 2002 CAVALIER FOR 10 YRS . THERE WAS NO SENSE TALKING TO THE OFFICER. WHEN THE AVERAGE PERSON ( WALKS 3 MPH. ) SO I,D SAY I WAS TICKETED FOR A REAL FAST WALK. FINALLY . I KNOW A NEIGHBOUR OF MINE WITH 22 DIVISION. ( TORONTO ) MAKES MORE IN OVER TIME THAN HIS WAGES . JUST ON TRAFFIC TICKETS. SO THE GAME IS ( LOVE THAT OVER-TIME . ) IF HE APPEARE FOR A TRIAL HE GET,S PAID FOR THE DAY , PLUS HIS REGULAR PAY. AND WHAT ABOUT THIS VICTUME SUR-CHARGE ‚THAT,S ADDED TO THE FINE, EX. $ 25.00 TICKET + $15.00 SUR-CHARGE . WE DON,T NEED TO BE A ROCKET –MAN TO FIGURE OUT. WHAT IN HELL IS GOING ON. GET ON A 400 SERIES AND DRIVE AT 100 KMS. AND SLOW UP EVERY-ONE CAN,T BE TICKED FOR DRIVING THE SPEED TICKET OR IMPEADIG TRAFFIC. MIGHT PI&& OF A FEW , BUT YOUR A LAW ABIDINNG CITIZEN. DON,T DO IT IN THE FAST LANE AND WATCH THE POLICE CARS GO BY AT ABOUT 120–140 KMS , WITH NO EMERGENCY LIGHTS ACTAVATED. BUT AGAIN THEY ARE ABOVE THE LAW.?