Here’s how speed camera (often referred to as “photo radar”) tickets generally impact drivers and their insurance rates across Canadian provinces:

1. Alberta: Speed camera tickets in Alberta typically do not have demerit points associated with them and therefore do not directly affect your insurance rates. However, unpaid tickets can lead to issues when trying to renew your registration or driver’s license.
2. British Columbia: In BC, speed camera tickets won’t add points to your driving record, so they won’t directly affect your insurance premiums. But, like in Alberta, unpaid tickets can cause difficulties when renewing licenses or registrations.
3. Manitoba: Manitoba’s photo radar tickets do not carry demerit points and thus should not affect your car insurance rates directly.
4. New Brunswick: New Brunswick does not have speed cameras as of 2023.
5. Newfoundland and Labrador: This province does not have speed cameras as of 2023.
6. Northwest Territories: There’s no speed camera enforcement in the Northwest Territories.
7. Nova Scotia: Nova Scotia does not use speed cameras to ticket drivers as of 2023.
8. Nunavut: Speed cameras are not in use in Nunavut as of 2023.
9. Ontario: Speed camera tickets in Ontario do not result in demerit points and should not directly affect insurance premiums. These are treated as the responsibility of the vehicle owner, rather than the driver.
10. Prince Edward Island: PEI does not use speed cameras as of 2023.
11. Quebec: In Quebec, speed camera tickets do not carry demerit points and will not be recorded on the driving record. Therefore, they should not directly affect insurance premiums. However, the owner of the vehicle is responsible for the fine.
12. Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan does not apply demerit points for photo radar tickets. As such, they shouldn’t directly affect your insurance rates.
13. Yukon: There’s no information suggesting the use of speed cameras in Yukon as of 2023.

It’s essential to understand that while these tickets might not directly impact your insurance premiums due to the lack of demerit points, unpaid fines can lead to complications. These complications could indirectly affect your insurability or lead to increased premiums due to administrative or legal reasons. Always consult with your insurance provider or broker if you have concerns or specific questions about your situation.

Also, remember that regulations can change, so always check the most recent rules in your province if you receive a ticket.

Do camera speeding tickets go on your record in Ontario?

Speeding tickets issued by automated speed enforcement cameras (or “photo radar”) do not go on your driving record. They do not carry demerit points, and they should not affect your insurance rates.

However, there are a few key points to note:

1. Owner Responsibility: The penalty is directed at the registered owner of the vehicle, regardless of who was driving it at the time of the infraction. This means that the owner is responsible for paying the fine, even if they weren’t the one driving when the camera captured the speeding violation.
2. Payment Importance: If you fail to pay the fine, it can result in the denial of license plate renewal. This means you won’t be able to get new or renewed license plates until the fine is paid.
3. No Demerit Points: Since the ticket doesn’t come with demerit points and doesn’t go on your driving record, it generally won’t have an impact on your insurance rates.

It’s always a good idea to check for any changes or updates to regulations in your jurisdiction, as rules and regulations can evolve over time. If you’re ever in doubt about how a ticket might affect your insurance or driving record, it’s worth speaking to a local expert or legal professional.

What happens if you don’t pay a speed camera ticket in Ontario?

If you don’t pay a speed camera ticket (or any Provincial Offences Act violation ticket) in Ontario, there are a few consequences you might face:

1. Conviction: If you don’t respond to the ticket within the prescribed time (usually 15 days), you can be deemed not to dispute the charge, leading to a conviction in your absence. This means you are considered guilty of the offense without a trial.
2. Increased Fines: The amount you owe can increase. In addition to the original fine, you may have to pay court costs and a victim fine surcharge. These added costs can make the ticket considerably more expensive than the original amount.
3. License Plate Denial: If you fail to pay the fine, the Ministry of Transportation can deny your license plate renewal. This means you cannot get new license plates or renew your existing plates until the fine is paid. Driving with expired plates can lead to further penalties.
4. Referral to Collection Agencies: The amount you owe can be sent to a collection agency. This can negatively impact your credit rating.
5. Civil Enforcement: The municipality can also use civil enforcement, which might include garnishing your wages or placing a lien on your property.
6. Additional Fees: If your fine goes into default, additional administrative fees might be added.

Remember that even if speed camera tickets don’t go on your driving record or carry demerit points in Ontario, there are still significant consequences for not addressing them. Always take such tickets seriously and consider consulting with a legal professional if you have questions about your specific situation.

Can you fight a speed camera ticket in Ontario?

Yes, you can choose to dispute a speed camera ticket in Ontario. If you believe the ticket was issued in error or if you have other reasons to challenge it, here are the general steps you can follow:

1. Read the Ticket: The back of your ticket should have instructions on how to request a trial. Make sure you understand the timelines and follow the instructions carefully.
2. Choose to Dispute: Within the time frame provided (typically 15 days from the date the ticket was issued), indicate on the ticket that you wish to dispute the charge. This will usually involve selecting the option for a court date/trial.
3. Mail or Deliver the Ticket: Send the ticket back to the address provided or hand-deliver it to the appropriate office, indicating you want to challenge the ticket in court.
4. Wait for a Notice of Trial: Once you’ve indicated your wish to dispute the ticket, you’ll receive a “Notice of Trial” in the mail. This notice will tell you when and where your trial will be.
5. Prepare for Your Trial:
   • Evidence: Gather any evidence that supports your case. This could be photographs of the area where you were ticketed, witness statements, or other relevant items.
   • Legal Representation: You can represent yourself, but you also have the option to hire legal representation or have someone licensed by the Law Society of Ontario represent you.
   • Disclosure: You have the right to see the evidence that the prosecutor will use against you. This is called “disclosure.” You should request disclosure well in advance of your trial date to prepare your defense.
6. Attend the Trial: Show up at the court on the date and time indicated on your Notice of Trial. If you fail to appear, you may be convicted in your absence.
7. Possible Outcomes:
   • Not Guilty: If the court finds you not guilty, the charge will be dismissed.
   • Guilty: If the court finds you guilty, you’ll need to pay the fine. You might also request more time to pay, depending on the circumstances.
   • Resolution: Sometimes, before the trial starts, the prosecutor might offer a “resolution” (e.g., a reduced fine). You can choose to accept this or proceed with the trial.

The legal process can be intricate. If you’re unsure about any aspect of it, or if you believe you have a strong case but aren’t confident in presenting it, you might consider seeking advice or representation from a legal professional who specializes in traffic violations.

Do speed camera tickets affect your driving record?

For many regions:

1. Driving Record: Speed camera tickets typically do not go on the driver’s record because the system can’t identify who was driving the vehicle at the time of the violation.
2. Demerit Points: Since they don’t go on the driving record, they also do not carry demerit points.
3. Insurance: In most places, because these violations are not associated with a specific driver and don’t carry demerit points, they generally do not impact insurance rates directly. However, it’s always good to check with your specific insurance provider.
4. Owner Responsibility: While they might not affect your driving record, the registered owner of the vehicle is usually responsible for paying the fine, even if they weren’t the one driving the car when the violation occurred.
5. Consequences for Non-Payment: Failure to pay a speed camera ticket can lead to other consequences, like increased fines or difficulties with vehicle registration renewal, depending on the jurisdiction.