Is Careless DRIVING A CRIMINAL OFFENCE?

♦ What is Careless Driving?

Careless Driving can include conduct like not driving carefully, not driving skillfully or not foreseeing risks attending to one’s conduct. It may also include driving without reasonable consideration for others.
Careless Driving is a Provincial Offence under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act.

“Reckless Driving” It is not an offence known to law. Most people mean the offence of Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle when referring to “Reckless Driving”.
Dangerous Operation of a Motor vehicle, Criminal Code
320.13 (1) Everyone commits an offence who operates a conveyance in a manner that, having regard to all of the circumstances, is dangerous to the public.
Dangerous Driving means driving a vehicle in a manner that is objectively dangerous and a marked departure from what would be expected of a driver in those circumstances. There must also be a danger to the public who were, or may have, been present.
Dangerous driving is a Criminal Offence.

• Operating a vehicle while distracted, such as using a mobile phone
• Traveling at a speed that exceeds what is considered safe for the given conditions, like maintaining regular highway speeds during a snowstorm with snow-covered roads and limited visibility
• Demonstrating a lack of skill while driving, such as taking a wide turn at an intersection and subsequently colliding with a pole or veering into a ditch.

Upon receiving an offence notice, you have a 15-day window to request a court date, or you will face a conviction or be considered ‘not disputing’ the offence. If you are issued a summons to appear in court, attendance is mandatory. Failure to appear may result in a trial being conducted in your absence, and you could be convicted without being present. Reach out to a POINTTS™ Traffic Ticket Specialist for a free, no-obligation consultation.

If you are facing a Careless Driving offence in Ontario, it is crucial to seek legal counsel from a POINTTS™ Traffic Ticket Specialist. By hiring a Traffic Ticket Specialist, you can receive expert guidance on your legal options and protect your rights in court. They can also help you navigate the legal process and ensure that you receive a fair trial.

Furthermore, with the help of a Traffic Ticket Specialist, you may be able to reduce the penalties associated with a careless driving offence and avoid some of the long-term implications of such a conviction.

Overall, hiring a Traffic Ticket Specialist from POINTTS™ can be an excellent investment in your future, as it can help you minimize the consequences of a careless driving offence and protect your livelihood and well-being.