With the new year comes harsher Ontario traffic ticket penalties

As we get ready to celebrate a new year, Ontario police are getting ready for the new year traffic ticket blitzes. Most years we see higher police presence on the streets from speed traps to R.I.D.E. programs targeted at catching the impaired drivers, but this year we will see something a little different.

Starting January 1st 2010, Ontario police will be targeting aggressive drivers with new and hefty fines and consequences being imposed for existing traffic ticket offences; some of the fines being up to quadruple what they are now!

One of the biggest penalty increases is for failing to pull over for an emergency vehicle or for following an emergency vehicle too closely. At the present time the maximum fine for a first time offence is $500 which will jump to $2000 in the new year along with 3 demerit points and possible 2 year licence suspension. Repeat offenders could be facing a maximum of $4000, demerit points, licence suspensions and even a possibility of a jail sentence of up to 6 months.

Other notable fine increases:

Failing To Stop At a Red Light
Current Maximum: $500
New Maximum: $1000

Seatbelt Infractions
Current Maximum: $500
New Maximum: $1000

Careless Driving
Current Maximum: $1000
New Maximum: $2000 (possible licence suspensions and jail time remain the same)

Staff Sgt. Steve Bodri of the Windsor police traffic branch said “In the new year we’re going to start some campaigns to target aggressive driving. If it requires writing more tickets, then we will.”