The following is some useful information and news that can help you in fighting your traffic ticket.

• Bill 203 - Safer Roads For A Safer Ontario Act: New legislation targeting drinking drivers and street racers
• Information about Demerit Points and New Drivers
• Information about Demerit Points and Fully Licensed Drivers
  

Bill 203 - Safer Roads for a Safer Ontario Act

Ontario’s roads are among the safest in North America. Our roads and highways will be even safer through Bill 203, which targets drinking drivers and street racers. This legislation:

• Increases fines for street racers and aggressive drivers, including those who drive 50 km/h or more over the posted speed limit, to $10,000 and allows police to immediately suspend the driver’s licence and impound the vehicle for seven days;
• Better protects law enforcement in the line of duty by adding new blue flashing lights to police vehicles to increase visibility;
• Creates escalating sanctions for repeat drinking drivers with Blood Alcohol Concentration measuring 0.05 to 0.08, planned for late 2008; and
• Allows drivers who are suspended for drinking and driving to get their licences back early if they install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle, planned for late 2008.

The legislation includes tough measures for those who choose to race on Ontario’s roads, including higher fines and longer suspensions:

• The maximum fine increases from $1,000 to $10,000 upon conviction for street racing, making it the highest penalty in Canada. The minimum fine increases from $200 to $2,000.
• Police can issue an immediate seven-day driver’s licence suspension and seven-day vehicle impoundment for street racing, participating in a driving contest or stunt driving. 
• Courts can impose a driver licence suspension of up to 10 years for a second conviction, if the second conviction occurs within 10 years of the first. For a first conviction, the maximum licence suspension period remains at 2 years.
• The definition of a “driving stunt” includes driving a motor vehicle at 50 km/h or more above the posted speed limit.
• The Act also bans driving a motor vehicle on a highway with a connected nitrous oxide system. Some street racers use nitrous oxide to enhance the acceleration capabilities of their vehicles.

For more information on street racing and aggressive driving, please go to:

• Ontario Regulation 455/07: Races, Contests and Stunts
• Driving the Speed Limit
• Aggressive Driving
• Demerit Point System

Demerit Points and New Drivers

• As a Class G1, G2, M1 or M2 driver, if you get two or more demerit points, you will be sent a warning letter.
• At six points, you may have to go to an interview to discuss your record and give reasons why your licence should not be suspended. If you don't attend, your licence may be suspended.
• At nine points, your licence will be suspended for 60 days from the date you surrender it to the Ministry of Transportation. You can lose your licence for up to two years if you fail to surrender your licence. A driver's licence may be surrendered at any Driver & Vehicle Licence Issuing Office, Ministry of Transportation Queen's Park Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office, or mailed to:

  Ministry of Transportation
  Driver Improvement Office
  Building A, Main Floor
  2680 Keele Street
  Downsview, ON
  M3M 3E6

• DriveTest centres do not accept surrendered licences for suspension purposes.
• After the suspension, the number of points on your record will be reduced to four. Any additional points could again bring you to the interview level. If you reach nine points again, your licence can be suspended for six months from the date you surrender it to the Ministry of Transportation.

Demerit Points and Fully Licensed Drivers

• As a fully licensed driver, if you get six demerit points, you will be sent a warning letter.
• At nine points, you may have to go to an interview to discuss your record and give reasons why your licence should not be suspended. If you don't attend, your licence may be suspended.
• At 15 or more points, your licence will be suspended for 30 days from the date you surrender it to the Ministry of Transportation for the first suspension. You can lose your licence for up to two years if you fail to surrender your licence. A driver's licence may be surrendered at any Driver & Vehicle Licence Issuing Office, Ministry of Transportation Queen's Park Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office, or mailed to:

  Ministry of Transportation
  Driver Improvement Office
  Building A, Main Floor
  2680 Keele Street
  Downsview, ON
  M3M 3E6

• DriveTest centres do not accept surrendered licences for suspension purposes.
• After the suspension you may be required to complete a driver re-examination (vision, knowledge and road tests), the number of points on your record will be reduced to seven. Any extra points could again bring you to the interview level. If you reach 15 points again, your licence will be suspended for six months.