In Ontario, speeding tickets penalties include fines and demerit points. Where drivers accumulate demerit points or drive at excessive speed the Highway Traffic Act allows for the suspension of the drivers licence.

Speeding ticket suspensions play a pivotal role in promoting road safety while penalizing risky driving behaviors.

When a driver exceeds the speed limit by more than 50 km/h, the driver may face immediate and long term licence suspensions including:

• Fine: for each kilometre per hour that the motor vehicle was driven over the speed limit is 50 $9.75 plus a victim fine surcharge.
• Demerit Points: Upon conviction, speeding by more than 50km/h carries 6 demerit points.  At 8 points class G drivers may be called for a demerit point interview, and novice drivers are suspended for 30 days.
• Administrative Driver’s Licence Suspension: Additionally, drivers may face an immediate Administrative Driver’s Licence Suspension (ADLS) of 7 days where a police officer lays a charge of stunt driving.

Drivers charged with high speeds should seek legal advice to navigate the complexities of the situation and explore any possible defences or mitigating factors that could impact the case.

In Ontario, the consequences of accumulating demerit points from speeding tickets can lead to the suspension of a driver’s licence.

This system is part of the Highway Traffic Act’s efforts to encourage safe driving and penalize those who repeatedly violate speed limits. When a driver exceeds the speed limit, demerit points are added to their driving record.

Accumulating these points serves as a marker of risky driving behavior, and reaching certain thresholds can trigger actions from the Ministry of Transportation, including licence suspensions.

For Class G drivers, the path to a potential licence suspension involves a series of steps designed to offer warnings and opportunities for correction:

• Warning Letters: Up to accumulations of demerit points, drivers receive warning letters.
• Demerit Point Interviews: At 8 points, drivers may be required to attend an interview at the Ministry of Transportation offices to discuss their driving record. Failure to attend results in an automatic suspension.
• Licence Suspension: Depending on the outcome of the interview or failure to attend, a licence suspension may be applied. This step emphasizes the seriousness of accumulating demerit points through speeding tickets.
• 15 Demerit Points: Automatic 30 day driver’s licence suspension.

Any suspension from the accumulation of speeding or traffic ticket convictions will impact insurance rates.

Novice drivers, those with G1, G2, M1, or M2 licences, face more stringent levels when accumulating demerit points and speeding ticket suspensions:

• Novice drivers are suspended for 30 days for the conviction of any 4 demerit point traffic ticket
• Any speeding ticket for more than 29km/h will result in a mandatory licence suspension
• Any accumulation to 6 demerit points will result in a 30 day licence suspension
• Speeding more than 50km/h will result in a roadside suspension, seizure of the vehicle, and up to 2 year license suspension upon conviction. s

This demerit point system and the associated speeding ticket suspensions underscore the commitment of Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act to road safety.

Stunt driving, which includes dangerously high speeds, racing, and performing risky maneuvers, poses a threat to public safety. To address this, the Highway Traffic Act enforces strict penalties to deter such dangerous practices.

Immediate and Long-Term Consequences

Drivers caught engaging in these hazardous behaviors face immediate and severe penalties:

• Automatic Driver’s Licence Suspension (ADLS): A 30-day suspension is imposed right after being charged with stunt driving or speeding more than 50 km/h over the limit.
• Vehicle Impoundment: The vehicle is impounded at the cost and expense of the owner for 7 days.
• Potential for Extended Suspension: Upon conviction, drivers face up to a 2-year licence suspension, emphasizing the serious repercussions of these actions.

The conviction on a driving record for stunt driving will affect insurance rates for extended periods of time.

Broader Impact of Stunt Driving Convictions

The consequences of a conviction for stunt driving or excessive speeding extend beyond the initial licence suspension:

• Increased insurance premiums, reflecting the heightened risk associated with such driving behaviors.
• Financial penalties and the possibility of vehicle impoundment, further emphasizing the legal and financial ramifications of these offences.

Through these layered penalties, the Highway Traffic Act aims to significantly reduce incidents of stunt driving and excessive speeding. The goal is not only to punish but also to prevent future offences, fostering a culture of safety and responsibility on Ontario’s roads.

Once the suspension period has past drivers may apply to have the licence reinstated.

The driver must attend at an Service Ontario location and pay a reinstatement fee.  At the time of writing this fee was $281.  Once the fee has been paid the driver may resume driving.

However, it’s important for drivers to understand that their driving record will still reflect the past suspension, which can affect insurance rates and may influence any future interactions with law enforcement or the Ministry of Transportation.