OTT | Traffic Tickets

Traffic Tickets - Improper Turns

Traffic tickets for turning violations can have up to four different penalties

The fine attached to a turning violation traffic ticket, like most moving violations, is not the only penalty for the offence. Any traffic ticket for a turning violation has four or more different penalties.

A common example of this is making an Improper Turn on a multi lane highway. It sounds straightforward. On the surface, it appears that somebody is alleged to have made an improper turn - usually wrong lane to wrong lane, on a highway that has multiple lanes of traffic.

The average person would look at the ticket, think they are guilty and may pay the fine hoping to never receive another. It is an unfortunate situation for three reasons. As a result, the driver has just accepted the four penalties for a traffic ticket.

The conviction will stay on your record for three years: any additional traffic ticket within that time period can have devastating implications on insurance rates.

The driver may not be guilty of the offence or maybe they had a defence to the charge. This is typical of the kind of cases we have withdrawn or win at trial every week.

In accident scenarios where the driver made a turn, the insurance companies will utilize the industry "fault determination chart". They will assess a "turning driver" 100% at fault. A successful defense may result in a full or partial reversal of fault. That could save a motorist thousand of dollars on their insurance premiums.

 

Going to Traffic Court

Why is this traffic ticket difficult to interpret? The definition of "multi lane highway" is not just a highway with multiple lanes as described in the definition section of the Highway Traffic Act.

The charge refers to any highway or roadway that has more than one lane that is designated for turning. In other words, it is intended for a highway that has two or more dedicated left or right turn lanes and somebody makes a turn from another lane.

Quite often, a police officer sees someone do something wrong, then looks to their Police wording booklet to try to see what "fits the best", but what "sounds the best" may not be the appropriate charge.

Because each Ontario Highway Traffic Act turning charge has its own requirements that must be met at trial you risk being needlessly convicted of an offence by not having qualified representation from OTT Legal Services.

Having a knowledgeable legal representative by your side ensures that the prosecution is put to the test to prove all the elements of the charge and that in fact; the correct charge has been issued by the officer.

Why Risk Losing? Call For a Free Consultation 1-888-668-8946 or Email Your Request