PLEASE NOTE: OTD LEGAL DOES NOT ASSIST WITH RED LIGHT CAMERA TICKET DEFENCE
As you’re approaching an intersection, the light turns red. At your current rate of speed, stopping is not an option. You proceed through but see a Red Light Camera flash in your rear window. A month passes and you receive a Red Light Camera ticket in the mail.
Red Light Camera tickets are used by municipalities to help reduce the number of vehicles that proceed through intersections after the signal has turned red. The penalty across Ontario for these tickets is a standard $260.00 fine plus Victim Fine Surcharge of $65.00 (total $325.00), set by the Provincial Offences Act.
Unlike getting pulled over by a police officer for running a red light, there is no demerit points involved and the ticket will not appear on your driving record or impact your insurance. This is because Red Light cameras have no way of identifying the driver of the vehicle. When these tickets are issued, they are issued and sent to the registered owner of the vehicle, regardless of if the registered owner was the driver at the time of the incident or not.
When given a Red Light Camera ticket, you typically have 15 days from the “deemed date of service” to respond, either by paying the ticket or disputing it.
Do not pay the ticket if you plan to dispute it. Instructions on how to proceed will be indicated on the ticket, either on the bottom of the paperwork or enclosed on a separate piece of paper.
Three Options If You’ve Received A Ticket For Running A Red Light
Trial Option
Appear before a Justice of the Peace, plead not guilty, and go to trial.
Early Resolution Option
Meet with a Prosecutor to discuss lowering the fine. You do not forgo the right to a trial by choosing this option. Since the fine is the only penalty associated with a Red Light Camera charge, this option probably makes the most sense to most drivers.
Guilty Plea Option
Pay the fine as is.
An Important Consideration When Asking For A Lower Fine For Running A Red Light
If you choose to ask the Prosecutor for a lower fine, you must plead guilty to the charge to accept the lower fine. If you present a defence to the charge, the Court may reject your guilty plea and push you to go to trial. The only other option at that point would or end up paying the full fine amount. Your conversation with the Prosecutor should focus on how the fine would have a negative financial impact on you.
If no response is made within 15 days, the ticket will be deemed undisputed, and you will be found guilty of the offence by default.
If the fine associated with the ticket is not paid by the due date (usually 15 days after conviction), shortly thereafter, the following penalties could occur:
License Plate
You will not be able to renew you license plate until the ticket is paid.
Late Fees
If you are late paying a Red Light Camera ticket, an administrative fee will be added to the fine amount.
Credit Score
Unpaid fines could be sent to collections by your local municipality and affect your credit rating.
The penalties for Red Light Camera tickets are limited to a monetary penalty with no insurance increase or demerit points. For this reason, we do not offer our services to fight Red Light Camera tickets.
If you have been charged with Red Light – Fail to Stop by a Police Officer however, you will receive 3 demerit points and the conviction will appear on your driving record. This could cause an insurance rate increase. We offer a free, no obligation consultation so you know what penalties you are facing. The first step is to send us a copy of your traffic ticket for one of our experienced paralegals to review.
