Speeding Ticket Brampton
Speeding is a prevalent issue in Brampton, as well as Ontario, attracting significant driving violations.
As per section 128 of the Highway Traffic Act, drivers must adhere to posted speed limits and avoid surpassing them.
In Brampton, you can receive a speeding ticket if you exceed the limits of:
- 50 km/h in municipal areas (cities, towns, villages) and built-up regions;
- 80 km/h in other areas lacking specific speed limit signs.
While initially appearing as a minor offence, speeding tickets in Ontario yield disappointing consequences: fines of up to $1,000, 6 demerit points, and inflated insurance rates.
Note: Following the latest stunt driving law changes (effective July 1, 2021), it is crucial to differentiate between speeding and potential stunt driving charges. Be cautious!
Consequences of Brampton Speeding Tickets
In Brampton, the penalties for speeding depend on the extent to which the speed limit is exceeded. Here are the common consequences:
- Demerit points:
- Speeding up to 15 km/h over the limit does not result in demerit points.
- Speeding 16-29 km/h over the limit entails 3 demerit points.
- Speeding 30-49 km/h over the limit entails 4 demerit points.
- Speeding by 50 km/h or more results in 6 demerit points and is considered stunt driving, carrying more stringent penalties.
- Fines (+ court fee & victim fine surcharge to be added):
- $2.50 per km/h for speeds 1-19 km/h over the limit.
- $3.75 per km/h for speeds 20-29 km/h over the limit.
- $6.00 per km/h for speeds 30-49 km/h over the limit.
- For speeds 50 km/h or more over the limit, fines start at $9.75 per km/h, and such cases cannot be settled out of court.
- Licence suspension:
- No suspension for speeds 1-29 km/h over the limit.
- A 30-day licence suspension applies to novice drivers (G1 & G2) for exceeding the speed limit by 30-50 km/h or more.
- A conviction for speeding will stay on your driving record forever, but it will be visible to your insurance for three years.
- Increased insurance rates:
- Speeding incidents involving 0 to 3 demerit points may increase car insurance premiums for up to 3 years.
- Based on your insurer’s policies, accumulating 3 or more points can result in a 100% increase in insurance premiums, potentially extending beyond 3 years. Such speeding is considered a major violation and an absolute liability offence.
Things to Know About Brampton Speeding Tickets:
- there are no 1 or 2-point speeding offences – only 0, 3, 4 and 6.
- speeding 0 – 49 km/hr over the speed limit will be issued on Part I – Offence Notice, with an ‘out of court set fine’;
- any speeds in ‘Community Safety Zones’ will be dealt with in the same manner; however, the fines will double;
- with speeds 50 km/h and 35 km/h over posted speed limit in a ‘Community Safety Zone’ the officer will issue a Part III summons to appear in Ontario court.
When fighting speeding tickets it is imperative that you are familiar with the speed-measuring device used by a police officer at the time. In order to prove the alleged traffic ticket fine, the officer has to complete specific obligations before evidence is accepted as accurate. The equipment used may change depending on different police agencies.
Brampton Speeding Ticket Fines 2024 & Demerit Points
We’ve summarised for you the information about speeding fines and demerit points depending on how fast you were driving over the speed limit. Here is up-to-date information (as of 1 January, 2024) from Highway Traffic Act, Schedule 43:
Over speed limit | Fine amount (per km/h) | Demerit points | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1-15 km/h | $2.50 | 0 demerit points | |||
16-19 km/h | $2.50 | 3 demerit points | |||
20-29 km/h | $3.75 | 3 demerit points | |||
30-49 km/h | $6.00 | 4 demerit points | |||
50+ km/h | no out of court settlement | 6 demerit points |
Important: accumulating demerit points can lead to additional penalties, such as licence suspensions or increased insurance premiums.
Brampton Speeding Ticket Fines 2024 & Demerit Points – Community Safety Zone
In Ontario, speeding fines are increased when speeding occurs in a designated Community Safety Zone. Demerit points are the same as regular speeding. Here are the breakdown of the fines:
Over speed limit | Fine amount (per km/h) | Demerit points | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1-15 km/h | $5.00 | 0 demerit points | |||
16-19 km/h | $5.00 | 3 demerit points | |||
20-29 km/h | $7.50 | 3 demerit points | |||
30-49 km/h | $12.00 | 4 demerit points | |||
50+ km/h | no out of court settlement | 6 demerit points |
In Community Safety Zones, speeding fines soar above regular penalties to underscore the criticality of upholding safe speeds in areas prioritizing pedestrian welfare. These zones are specifically designated near schools, parks, and other locations teeming with high pedestrian activity. By imposing heightened fines, the aim is to foster heightened caution and protect the vulnerable individuals within these safety zones.
Having some relatives or rookie paralegals “selling the best advice” when you ask them quick advice with questions like: “How to get out of a speeding ticket?” or “How to beat a speeding ticket?” or something in this fashion. But unfortunately, it’s not that easy, and in most cases, they will do you a disservice.
Generally, working with an experienced speeding ticket paralegal is the best practice for anyone interested in reducing risks of gettings maximum fines and demerit points in court.
Also, here are a few things to remember:
- Every case is different. Hence, fighting your first speeding ticket in Brampton cannot be based on the process your friend’s speeding lawyer or paralegal used in the past to help them out. Well, the actual process is almost the same when it comes to administrative work to be done; however, utilizing the most suitable approach or tactic in each specific situation is exactly where the magic happens.
- Most Canada speeding traffic tickets must be filed with the court within 15 days to request an early resolution meeting with a prosecutor or trial date depending on a court location.
- A lot of people think that showing up at trial date will result in automatic speed rate reduction which will ultimately reduce their demerit points, but often once police officer was requested to show up in court, prosecutors must proceed with a trial process and fighting a speeding ticket can result in less than favourable results to you and your future driving record.
- Prior to your early meeting with a prosecutor, you should request or obtain a police officer’s evidence that will be used in court to prove your guilt in committing a speeding offence.
How to Fight a Speeding Ticket in Brampton
- Seek professional help: Engaging the services of a speeding ticket attorney or paralegal is highly recommended as your first step. Their expertise significantly enhances your chances of achieving a favourable outcome compared to representing yourself in court.
- File a traffic ticket: File your Brampton speeding ticket with the appropriate court to secure a date with a prosecutor. This provides an opportunity to discuss potential reductions of your speeding offence, leading to fewer or zero demerit points. Keep in mind that disputing a speeding ticket typically requires multiple court appearances, often necessitating time off from work. However, having a legal professional on your side allows them to represent you in court.
- Prepare for trial: Arrive at the trial well-prepared to address any inquiries regarding the circumstances surrounding the day you were caught speeding and issued the ticket. Be ready to ask the police officer questions related to your specific case, aiming to present evidence that challenges the officer’s account.
Remember, courts have heard various explanations such as urgent restroom needs or providing assistance to a sick friend. It is essential to construct a compelling argument and present relevant facts to support your case.
When it comes to fighting a speeding ticket which is an absolute liability offence there can only be two possible defences. But be prepared that the standard of proof for each of these excuses is very high. Here they are:
1 – “I believe my life was in danger and I was dialling 911 while being followed by a dark car through a dark alley”
2 – You were the only person who could have potentially save a person’s life and there were no other alternatives but to break the law and speed to maximize their chances to survive. The importance of breaking the speeding law must have been far greater than the actual act of speeding because you helped to save another person’s life.
Hiring a lawyer to fight a speeding ticket, might be an investment that will be repaid hundredfold in the future (both time and money).
We employ only the best speeding ticket lawyers, paralegals, former police officers and prosecutors that are now helping people fight speeding tickets anywhere in Ontario. Even if it’s your first case, don’t worry – we’ll help you with it!