Toronto Traffic Tickets

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Recently, a number of cameras have been installed at certain intersections to catch drivers going through red lights. For those that have received a Notice in the mail for such an infraction you'll notice that the fine amount is $190 plus a victim fine surcharge. If that is the case it is most advisable to just pay the red light infraction by photo as it does not appear on a driver abstract. It is treated as a parking infraction as they do not have a driver's license available by photo and can only send the Notice of Infraction to the owner of the vehicle stated under the license plate number. These infractions do not carry any demerit points and that is the reason for the high fine amount. There is absolutely nothing to gain by taking these red light tickets to court as it does not go on any abstract. This is clearly stated in the HTA (Highway Traffic Act).

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Certificate of offence - owner - red light camera evidence

(18.1) A person who issues a certificate of offence and offence notice under subsection 3 (2) of the Provincial Offences Act for a contravention of subsection (18) shall, despite that Act and the regulations under that Act, specify this subsection, instead of subsection (18), as the provision that was contravened, if,

(a) the person who issues the certificate of offence and offence notice believes that the offence was committed on the basis of evidence obtained through the use of a red light camera system; and

(b) the defendant is being charged as the owner of the vehicle. 1998, c. 38, s. 3 (1).

Certificate of offence - driver - red light camera evidence

(18.2) A person who issues a certificate of offence and offence notice under subsection 3 (2) of the Provincial Offences Act for a contravention of subsection (18) shall, despite that Act and the regulations under that Act, specify this subsection, instead of subsection (18), as the provision that was contravened, if,

(a) the person who issues the certificate of offence and offence notice believes that the offence was committed on the basis of evidence obtained through the use of a red light camera system; and

(b) the defendant is being charged as the driver of the vehicle. 1998, c. 38, s. 3 (1).

Although it is treated as a parking ticket it is unwise not to pay the ticket. Under the HTA (Highway Traffic Act) the following will result if the fine for a red light camera fine is unpaid; No permit when red light camera fine unpaid (11.2) If an owner of a vehicle is in default of payment of a fine imposed for a conviction based on evidence obtained through the use of a red light camera system, an order or direction may be made under section 69 of the Provincial Offences Act directing that,

(a) if the owner holds a permit, validation of that owner's permit be refused until the fine is paid; or

(b) if the owner does not hold a permit, the issuance of a permit be refused until the fine is paid. 1998, c. 38, s. 1 (1).

On the other hand, if you were pulled over by a police officer for failing to stop at a red light and a ticket is issued, the demerit points attached to a red light ticket is three points and the fine is usually $110 total payable.

Red light

(18) Every driver approaching a traffic control signal showing a circular red indication and facing the indication shall stop his or her vehicle and shall not proceed until a green indication is shown. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 144 (18).