From the moment you hit the roads in Alberta, you need to be aware of the traffic norms. Drivers often receive traffic tickets due to deliberate or unintentional misconduct on the roads. However, you need to be aware of the different types of traffic tickets that you might receive in Alberta. In this article, the experts at Surex will make sure that you will get complete guidance on what to do in case you receive a traffic ticket in Alberta.
Before getting started, you should know the value of getting yourself insured adequately. Accidents and incidents on the road are unexpected guests. You need to be prepared for these happenings, covering your vehicle and yourself with proper coverage. Once you reach out to the experts, they would advise you on the most affordable deals.
Different Types Of Traffic Tickets In Alberta
The on-duty police officers usually hand over traffic tickets to offending drivers. There are different statutory laws under which traffic tickets are issued. For instance, an officer might book you under the local laws of the city roads, the Highway Traffic Act, or the Motor Vehicles Act. Have a look at the different types of traffic tickets under which you might get booked in Alberta.
Traffic Tags
An officer can issue a traffic tag as per the local laws governing city roads in Edmonton. The city is entitled to formulate and incorporate necessary laws to govern its parking and traffic. In most cases, traffic tags are issued when you commit a parking offense. In case you have parked your car at the wrong place or somewhere where it would hinder the traffic flow, you may be booked under traffic tags.
Traffic Tickets With A Specified Penalty Amount
If you are booked under this category, you would have to shell out a specific amount mentioned on the ticket as fine. Besides, you need to pay it within a particular period. However, you need to show up at the court if you don’t pay the fine. In some instances, you might be interested in filing a Traffic Ticket dispute in court. In these cases, you need to request a trial date by attending the area court.
The offenses covered under this category include speeding, making unsafe changes in lanes, not stopping at the signs, etc. If you are caught driving without a license or insurance, you may also be booked under this category.
Multi-Nova Speeding Tickets
Multi-nova speeding tickets are dispatched to the registered address through courier or post. This refers to a legal notice that informs the owner that the vehicle was caught on camera at a specified date, time, and place while speeding. A specified time is given, within which you need to shell out the fine. Even if you were not driving the vehicle, you need to pay the amount, as the car is registered under your name. Failure to make the payment within the stipulated date may require you to attend the court and answer the relevant charges.
However, you must note that such tickets do not involve any demerit points.
Traffic Summons For Appearance In Court
If the traffic violations are too severe, they are categorized under this head. Common instances include careless driving, not having a valid driving license, hit and run accidents, not stopping at the signal, or causing property damage or personal injury. Speeding is also included under this category.
You should note that police officers may not immediately issue traffic summons after the incident. They might issue the charge within six months of the accident or incident. Therefore, you must note down every detail of an incident, even if the police did not charge you at that time.
A traffic summon indicates that the driver needs to answer a charge by appearing at the court. In these cases, you do not have an option to pay fines. Therefore, you need to follow up the summon at the court, which is mandatory.
If you want to plead not guilty, you need to appear at the court at the specified time and receive a date for the trial.
What To Do If You Receive A Traffic Ticket?
In the first place, make sure not to argue with the sergeant or police officer if you have received a ticket. This might provoke the officer, leading to harsher penalties. Try not to display bad manners or a poor attitude.
You need to take notes of the occurrence after you receive the ticket. This would help you to decide whether you should go for a dispute ticket in court. Take a note of the following details soon after receiving the ticket.
- If there are eyewitnesses, gather their contact information.
- Note the location of the place and other details like nearby traffic signals.
- The position of other vehicles in relation to your car
- The weather and road conditions when the incident took place
- Any other relevant detail that you might think to be important
Tips To Handle Situations In Case You Receive A Traffic Ticket
You need to be present at the area court even if you are willing to plead not guilty. Follow up the summon at the specified date and time to plead for a trial date. In case it turns out that you had committed the offense, you may face imprisonment of up to 6 months. Alternatively, you may have to shell out a penalty of up to CAD 1,000. In cases of traffic violations, the judge may also suspend the driving license. For less serious offenses, your driving license would have demerit points.
Endnote
Under any situation, it is advisable to shell out the penalty, which would vary according to the offense’s intensity. If demerit points are added to your driving license, it might affect your insurance premium. In these cases, you need to talk to a specialist about how much you need to pay when renewing your policy. The reputed insurers are considerate with minor defaulters. However, you would have to pay a greater premium in case you accumulate several demerit points.