New Speeding Law in Ontario

Ontario has had a history of problems with people who drive their vehicles faster than the posted speed limit and drivers who participate in illegal street racing. To combat speeding problems and reduce the number of car crashes, the Ontario government implemented a new speeding law.

Ontario's new speeding law penalizes drivers caught speeding 50 km/h over the posted limit. The law has had a positive effect curbing speeding. In the first month of implementing the new law, more than 1,300 drivers were caught breaking the law.

Ontario's new law carries the toughest penalties of any speeding ticket in Canada and the United States. Penalties for driving 50 km/h over the speed limit as posted by 50over.ca include:

First Time Offenders
- $2,000 - $10,000 Fine
- 7 Day License Suspension. You' will also need to schedule getting a new drivers license.
- 7 Day vehicle impoundment. The OPP (Ontario Provincial Police) will likely request a tow truck, and have your vehicle towed from the spot where you are pulled over.
- 6 Demerit Points
- Towing and 7 day vehicle impound storage fees
- Possible driver's license suspension for a maximum of 2 years

Repeat Offenders
The speeding offense stays on your record for 10 years. If you are caught speeding 50 km/h over the speed limit a second time within 10 years of your first offense, you will face a potential driver's license suspension of up to 10 years.

Demerit Points
Convicted drivers will receive 6 demerit points for speeding over 50 km/h over the posted speed limit. New drivers (Class G1, G2, M1 or M2), who have 9 demerit points will be required to attend an interview to explain why their driver's license should not be suspended. Fully licensed drivers will have to attend an interview to explain why their driver's license should not be suspended. At 15 or more demerit points, a driver will receive a 30 day license suspension.

Insurance
A big cost of being convicted of a speeding offense is the increase in insurance rates. If you are convicted, your insurance rate will skyrocket. Some insurance companies may cancel your insurance. If you have to get new insurance, it will be very expensive

If you are caught driving 50 km/h over the speed limit, your vehicle will be impounded right away. You will have to arrange for your own transportation home and you will have to pay for the towing and impound fees. The police state that there is no right of appeal in the case of a suspension or impoundment. Individuals usually convicted of the speeding offense include 80% males and 50% age 27 or under.

50over.ca cites a number of statistics showing that the new speeding law has been effective:
- 8,459 charged in first year
- 23 charged daily
- 41% convicted on the charge
- 39% have charges reduced
- 36 drivers have been caught twice

A report from Transport Canada found that most drivers don't recognize their own bad habits, and the unfortunate power they have to kill with their car,- said Paul Boase of the Canadian Association of Road Safety Professionals.

There are about 160,000 road accidents in Canada every year. According to the Transportation Safety Board, -approximately 2800 to 2900 people are killed on Canadian roads each year.- Drivers have to realize that driving is a right and not a privilege. If you do not obey traffic rules, your car can quickly turn into a weapon that can cause great harm. People have to ask the question: Is it worth risking your life just to arrive at your destination on time?