The law may be clear about its regulations for driving, but people still end up engaging in many traffic violations. Some of the common violations in Canada are driving without a license and/or insurance, driving without a seatbelt, driving under the influence, not following speed limits, and not following road signs. Laws in Canada vary in each province but common factors are found in the Criminal Code of Canada.

Quick guide to penalties and fines

When the driver is given a ticket, he or she has the chance to plead guilty or non-guilty. A guilty motorist is convicted after the trial and must pay a monetary amount. The crime will be permanent on your driving record and will affect your insurance premiums. Fines are quite pricey and offenses like driving under the influence require jail time. A first DUI offense demands a $1,000 fine and 120 days in jail. One’s licence is also revoked and the person cannot drive for at least a year. If a second to third violation occurs, then the licence is revoked between two to three years.

Other violations

Throughout Canada, the speed limit is 50 kph in cities and 80 kph for highways. In Quebec, $60 to $2,000 is fined if the motorist goes over the required speed. Another safety precaution to follow is not using your cellphone while driving. A fine between $45 to $180 is charged to those who use a handheld mobile while driving. Motorists should not forget to follow school bus zones, such as flashing lights for cars to stop for a coming school bus. A fine of $400 or up to $2,000 is charged for those who do not slow down for a school bus.