Tips for a ticket-free summer
Sunny hot days are back in full swing, the rules of deconfinement are becoming more flexible, and we can finally enjoy the summer! We’ve gathered some tips to help you maximize your summer while reducing your chances of ending up with a ticket.
Deconfinement rules.
While the deconfinement rules are currently relaxed, there are still measures we need to respect in order to avoid having a hefty fine. The amount of the fine can vary between $ 1,000 and $ 6,000. So here is a little reminder of your obligations:
- Maintain a 1-meter distance
- Wear a mask
- Limit indoor gatherings to 10 people
Pay attention to your speed.
As expected, in the summer we tend to have a lighter foot on the gas pedal. It is important to remember that speed limits vary depending on the municipality or the city you are in. In Montreal for example, there are several highways regulated to a limit of 70 km / h, which differs from the traditional highway speed of 100 km / h. This means that as soon as you drive at a speed of 120 km / h in a zone of 70 km / h, this speed is considered to be an excessive speed. SO, in addition to the many points added to your driving record for a period of 2 years, you will have the excessive speeding mention registered for a period 10 years. This mention can complicate things if your license is necessary to perform certain duties at work, or if you wish to complete a driving class other than class 5 for a specific job.
Summer in Montreal is synonymous with construction zones. Pay special attention to the speed limit changed in orange. It can sometimes be reduced up to 30 km below the regular limit. In addition to the demerit points related to the offense, the fine is doubled in this case.
Just because other drivers around you are driving faster than permitted, does not mean that you are allowed to follow and use this as a defense when contesting your fine.
Be careful with pedestrians.
With shows and outdoor activities characteristic of Montreal’s summer, several streets become pedestrianized and many are the crossings giving priority to pedestrians. When you do not respect a pedestrian's right of way, you run the risk of having a fine as well as demerit points if intercepted.
Travel between provinces.
If you travel between provinces, be aware that the Highway Safety Code varies. Each province has a demerit point system that differs from offense to offense. For example, a speeding excess of 80 km / h in a 50 km / h zone represents in Quebec the equivalent of 2 demerit points. While in Ontario, this does not contain any demerit points.
Furthermore, even if the offense is committed in another province, it still affects your driving record in Quebec. We advise you to contact an SOS Ticket lawyer in order to understand the impact of the offense committed outside Quebec, on your driving record.