Home > Help Centre > Blog Being charged with careless driving is not a situation you want to find yourself in. Careless driving is a severe offence that can result in a ticket, fine, or worse, depending on your behaviour behind the wheel. It can be combined with other incidents, such as distracted driving and driving impaired, making matters even worse. In this blog, you'll learn about careless driving charges, how they can affect you and if you can do anything to fight the fine. What’s on this page Careless driving can be confusing due to the nature of the law. The charge is open for interpretation by the police, and there are many situations where careless driving qualifies as an offence. It is a charge or ticket given out by police when they deem a driver was not using care and failed to pay attention and drive safely properly. Even though the law is open to interpretation, there are acts commonly considered careless driving. Here are some examples: Section 130 of the Ontario Highway Traffic Act defines the act of careless driving:
Careless driving fines and penalties vary in Ontario based on the severity of the situation leading to you being charged. Here is some information on the type of fines and tickets you could receive. A careless driving charge in Ontario applies to many situations. You can be charged with it if an accident meets the following: Regardless of the situation, your charges will still fall within the careless driving penalties. Just because there is a fatality doesn’t necessarily mean it is a criminal offence. It’s how the incident occurred and what led up to it, explains Sgt. Scott Parker of the COPP’s Traffic Operations Division.
If the police believe there was more in play, or there was malicious intent, you could receive a charge for criminal negligence or dangerous driving, both with stiffer penalties and the potential for a criminal conviction.Careless Driving Charges In Ontario
Apr 5, 2024
Ontario careless driving charges and fines for 2024
Three main takeaways about careless driving
What are the types of careless driving tickets in Ontario?
Careless driving fines and penalties In Ontario 2024
Is careless driving a criminal offence?
What is the difference between careless driving and dangerous driving?
Careless Driving FAQs
What is careless driving?
Every person is guilty of the offence of driving carelessly who drives a vehicle or street car on a highway without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the highway.
What are the types of careless driving tickets in Ontario?