#distracteddriving

#driving #cars #texting #distracteddriving

While driving make sure to put that phone away! (Taken by a passenger)

April is distracted driving awareness month. I wear this hat to remind my online and offline communities that drivers on MY local streets are #RunningWild I am raising awareness of distracted driving with every step. Share and like this post, tag your own or pick-up a hat at DashItFitness.com to make a statement this month. Champion change by raising awareness on YOUR streets and in YOUR communities... #distracteddriving #RunningWild #running #justdrive #runday #trackandfield

A distracted driving conviction in Ontario adds three demerit points to your record, along with the fine and a three-day licence suspension. Those points stay on your driving record for two years from the date of the offence, then come off. But the points were never the real problem — the conviction itself stays on your record long after the points expire, and it's the conviction that insurers actually look at. I'm Jon Cohen, Partner at NextLaw, a distracted driving ticket law firm in Ontario. Here's how the points work, how long they last, and why they're not the part that matters most. How many demerit points is distracted driving in Ontario? A distracted driving conviction puts three demerit points on your record, along with the fine and a three-day licence suspension. Three points might not sound like much on its own — but they don't sit in isolation. If you already have points from other tickets, these can push you closer to the thresholds where the Ministry starts sending warning letters, calling you in for an interview, or even suspending your licence for the points alone. In that sense, three points can matter far more than the number suggests. How long do demerit points stay on your record? Demerit points stay on your driving record for two years from the date of the offence. After that, the points themselves come off. So if points were the only issue, you could just wait it out. The catch is that the points were never really the problem — and treating the two-year expiry as the finish line misses what actually follows you. Why the conviction matters more than the points Here's what most drivers don't realize: the conviction itself stays on your record long after those two years are up. And that conviction is what insurance companies actually look at when they set your rate. So getting the points to expire was never really the goal. Keeping the conviction off your record in the first place is what actually protects you — your licence, your insurance, and your options if you're ever pulled over again down the road. Every case is different, but that distinction between points and conviction is the one that matters most. Frequently asked questions How many demerit points is a distracted driving ticket in Ontario? A distracted driving conviction adds three demerit points, along with the fine and a three-day licence suspension, for a fully licensed driver. How long do distracted driving demerit points stay on your record? Demerit points remain on your driving record for two years from the date of the offence, then come off automatically. Do the demerit points or the conviction affect insurance? The conviction. Points expire after two years, but the conviction stays on your record longer and is what insurers look at when setting your rate. Can three demerit points cause a licence suspension? On their own, no — but added to points you already have, they can push you toward the thresholds where the Ministry issues warnings, interviews, or point-based suspensions. This article is general information about Ontario law and is not legal advice. Services provided by a licensed lawyer and licensed paralegals at NextLaw. Every case is different; past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Read the full article

If you just got a distracted driving ticket in Toronto, the first three things to do are simple: don't pay it yet, write down your response deadline and court date, and get advice before you decide anything. The one thing you should not do is pay it — because paying is legally the same as pleading guilty, and it locks in the conviction, three demerit points, a three-day suspension, and a possible insurance increase permanently. I'm Jon Cohen, Partner at NextLaw, a distracted driving ticket law firm in Ontario. Here are the first three steps — and the mistake to avoid. One: don't pay the ticket yet This is the big one. Paying the ticket is the same as pleading guilty. The moment you pay, you lock in the conviction, the three demerit points, the three-day suspension, and the insurance increase — all of it, permanently. It might feel like the fastest way to make the ticket go away, but it's actually the most final decision you can make. So before you do anything else: don't pay it. Two: write down your dates Your ticket has a deadline to respond, and eventually a court date will follow. If you miss either one, you can be convicted automatically — without ever getting to make your case. Keep the ticket somewhere safe, take a photo of it, and mark those dates down so nothing slips past you while you're deciding what to do. Missing a deadline can take the decision out of your hands entirely. Three: get advice before you decide More distracted driving charges go through Toronto than anywhere else in Ontario — it's what we handle every single day. A quick conversation can tell you what you're really facing, whether the evidence against you is actually solid, and whether it's worth fighting — before you make a decision you can't take back. There's no downside to understanding your position first. Every case is different, but knowing where you stand costs you nothing and can change everything about how you handle the ticket. Frequently asked questions What should I do first after a distracted driving ticket in Toronto? Don't pay it yet, record your response deadline and court date, and get advice before deciding — paying the ticket locks in the conviction permanently. What happens if I miss my distracted driving court date or deadline? You can be convicted automatically without ever making your case, so it's important to record and keep track of every date on the ticket. Should I pay a distracted driving ticket to make it go away? No. Paying is the same as pleading guilty and locks in the points, the suspension, and any insurance impact, with no way to undo it afterward. Where are most Ontario distracted driving charges handled? More distracted driving charges run through Toronto than anywhere else in Ontario, which is exactly the kind of case a local firm deals with every day. This article is general information about Ontario law and is not legal advice. Services provided by a licensed lawyer and licensed paralegals at NextLaw. Every case is different; past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Read the full article