Contrary to popular belief, when facing and approaching a solid amber (or yellow) signal it does NOT mean, “Go faster.” It does mean you have to stop, “…if he or she can do safely, otherwise he or she may proceed with caution.” The same applies to amber arrows.
The length of the amber light varies according to the width of the intersection and the speed limit at the location. The length of time the light stays amber can be between 3 seconds to just under 5 seconds.
A red light, on the other hand, has no provision for anything other than coming to a complete stop at the place indicated by any markings on the road. Snow drifts, black ice or freezing rain makes no difference to the requirement to stop. This is what is known as an absolute liability offence.
The standard fine for most traffic light offences is $260 but could be up to $1,000.
If served with a ticket for this or any offence involving traffic signals, contact us for an honest appraisal of your situation and how POINTTS can help you in court.
It is now considered performing a stunt for a driver to make a quick left turn on a green light, across the path of opposing traffic that also has a green light, rather than wait inside the intersection for traffic to pass.
A conviction for “Stunt driving” carries a minimum $2,000 fine together with 6 demerit points. In addition, there is the option for the court to impose a jail term of up to six months and up to a 2 year licence suspension instead of the demerit points.
Why fight the charge?
It doesn’t take much for demerit points to mount up and before very long; your licence is under suspension. Protect your licence and your insurance premiums. Speak to a licensed paralegal at POINTTS before deciding on a course of action you may regret later.
Why POINTTS?
POINTTS’ team of Licensed Paralegals comprised of former police officers and college graduates have been trained to the highest standards and continue to have their skills and knowledge upgraded by their in-house trainer who’s responsible for ensuring all POINTTS paralegals comply with the Law Society of Upper Canada’s continuing professional development requirement.
Why a Licensed Paralegal?
Every charge must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt by the prosecution. POINTTS Licensed Paralegals have the knowledge, skill and experience to know if that burden has been met. A person trying to represent themselves is not likely to know what has to be proven, let alone whether proven beyond a reasonable doubt. We will look at the disclosure, research the relevant case law to be used in your favor and be able to recognize technicalities that would be fatal to the prosecution’s case against you. POINTTS paralegals know how to cross-examine witnesses. When questioning police officers, we know what the answers to technical questions should be so we know if the answer given is the right one, whereas most self-represented defendants would not.
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No, the ticket will not be dismissed if the officer did not sign YOUR copy of the ticket. There is no longer a requirement to do so.
What is required is that the issuing officer signs the copy that is filed with the court. This is called the certificate of offence. The absence of an issuing officer’s signature on the certificate is fatal to the charge and it should be quashed, if it gets as far as to be in the court, before a justice of the peace. It may well be that if the lack of a signature is noticed by the court’s administration the certificate will be returned to the officer.
The officer has six months in which to relay the charge by way of a summons.