When people think of a “traffic ticket” they undoubtedly think of Speeding, Red Light, or Seatbelt tickets. The Highway Traffic Act was first introduced in 1923 and in that time it has certainly accumulated some strange, or at least uncommon, areas of law. Curious? Let’s take a look at a few sections that you’re likely unaware of…
Clinging to vehicles, bicycle passengers
Bicycle riders, etc., clinging to vehicles
178 (1) A person riding, riding on or operating a motor assisted bicycle, bicycle, coaster, toboggan, sled, skateboard, toy vehicle or any other type of conveyance or wearing roller skates, in-line skates or skis shall not attach it, them, himself or herself to a vehicle or street car on a highway. 2015, c. 14, s. 52 (1).”
Section 178(1) of the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) deals with attaching yourself in virtually any manner to pretty much any type of vehicle. Whether you’re on a bicycle, a skateboard, wearing roller skates, or even a set of skis… If you attached yourself to a vehicle, you can be charged under this section of law. While the charge wouldn’t carry demerit points, it would however result in a total payable fine of $110.00. That makes for a pretty expensive joy ride!
Bicycle passengers
(2) No person riding or operating a bicycle designed for carrying one person only shall carry any other person thereon. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 178 (2); 2015, c. 14, s. 52 (2).”
HTA section 178 goes on in subsection 2 to address a commonplace childhood experience. As a youngster, did you ever provide a ride to someone on your bicycle handlebars or on little pegs attached to the rear wheel? Well. If you did, you could have charged by the police. No demerit points, but a total payable fine of $110.00. That’s a lot of money for giving someone a lift on your bicycle!
Riding in house or boat trailers prohibited
188 No driver of a motor vehicle to which a house trailer or boat trailer is attached shall operate the motor vehicle on a highway if the trailer is occupied by any person. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 188.”
While this is likely common sense for safety… Section 188 of the HTA prohibits a driver of a motor vehicle from allowing anyone to occupy a house or boat trailer that is being towed by their vehicle. This offence carries no demerit points. However, for professional drivers the offence would carry a substantial 3 CVOR point penalty to go along with the $110 total payable fine.
Soliciting rides prohibited
177 (1) No person, while on the roadway, shall solicit a ride from the driver of a motor vehicle other than a public passenger conveyance. 1999, c. 8, s. 7 (1).”
Ever thought of hitchhiking? HTA section 177(1) says don’t do that unless you’d like a $65 ticket from the police (which would be significantly more expensive than taking a taxi or bus…).
Soliciting business prohibited
(2) No person, while on the roadway, shall stop, attempt to stop or approach a motor vehicle for the purpose of offering, selling or providing any commodity or service to the driver or any other person in the motor vehicle. 1999, c. 8, s. 7 (1).”
In Ontario, it is fairly uncommon to be solicited for a commodity or service while driving. However, most drivers have likely at least once been at a red light and had someone approach their car to clean their windshield and ask for money. Under HTA section 177(2), doing so can result in a $65 total-payable ticket!
If you’ve enjoyed reading through some of these less common sections of the Highway Traffic Act, watch for our follow up article including even more obscure sections of the HTA including what happens if you have to land your airplane on a roadway…!
Ever had to land your airplane on a highway or take off from an Ontario highway? No? Well, section 187 of the Highway Traffic Act deals with that rare eventuality:
“187 (1) Where an aircraft has made an emergency landing on a highway, the pilot in command thereof, if he or she is physically capable, shall, as soon after landing as is reasonably possible, remove or cause it to be removed from the roadway. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 187 (1).
Aircraft and movement along highway subject to Act
(2) Subject to subsection (3), no aircraft shall be driven or drawn along a highway unless the aircraft and the movement thereof comply with the provisions of this Act respecting vehicles and the movement thereof on a highway. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 187 (2).
Aircraft take-off from highway
(3) Where an aircraft has landed on a highway because of an emergency related to the operation of the aircraft, the aircraft may take off from the highway provided,
(a) a licensed commercial pilot, not being the owner of the aircraft, who is qualified to fly that class and category of aircraft, and the pilot in command of the aircraft are both satisfied that the aircraft is airworthy and that there are no physical obstructions on or over the highway which would make such take-off unsafe;
(b) the pilot in command of the aircraft is satisfied that weather conditions are satisfactory for the purpose and that the minimum requirements are met under the visual flight rules established by the regulations made under the Aeronautics Act (Canada) or, if the flight is to be continued under instrument flight rules, that adequate arrangements can be made for obtaining a clearance from an air traffic control unit prior to entering instrument flight weather conditions;
(c) traffic control is provided by the appropriate police force; and
(d) the police force consents to the take-off. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 187 (3).
Penalty
(4) Every person who contravenes this section is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $10,000. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 187 (4).
No liability where good faith
(5) No proceeding for damages shall be instituted against a police force, police officer or pilot, for an act or an omission done or omitted to be done by it, him or her in respect of the subject-matter of subsection (3) where the force, officer or pilot was acting in good faith. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 187 (5).”
It is legally permissible to land an airplane and subsequently take off from an Ontario highway due to an emergency so long as the various established criteria are met. Failing to comply with the requirements of this section could result in a maximum fine of $10,000.00 plus the 25% victim fine surcharge ($12,500.00 in total). Fortunately however, most Ontarians will not find themselves in this incredibly rare circumstance!
“Approaching ridden or driven horses, etc.
167 Every person having the control or charge of a motor vehicle or motor assisted bicycle on a highway, when approaching a horse or other animal that is drawing a vehicle or being driven, led or ridden, shall operate, manage and control the motor vehicle or motor assisted bicycle so as to exercise every reasonable precaution to prevent the frightening of the horse or other animal and to ensure the safety and protection of any person driving, leading or riding upon the horse or other animal or being in any vehicle drawn by the horse or other animal. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 167.”
This should be common sense and safety… Have you ever been driving along and seen someone riding their horse along the roadway and wondered what would happen if you suddenly honked your horn while passing? Aside from potentially causing an accident and serious injury, HTA section 167 would result in a total payable fine of $110.00 for doing so ($150.00 if the event happened in a community safety zone). Oddly, the offence carries a very lenient 0 demerit points for regular drivers but would carry a very heavy-handed 5 CVOR points for commercial motor vehicles.
Before heading to work in the morning as you hitch your horse up to your sleigh before braving the commute to work…have you ever stopped to ponder if you have enough sleigh bells? No? I’m not surprised… However, Highway Traffic Act section 77(1) has something to say on the matter:
Sleigh bells
77 (1) Every person travelling on a highway with a sleigh or sled drawn by a horse or other animal shall have at least two bells attached to the harness or to the sleigh or sled in such a manner as to give ample warning sound. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 77 (1).
Penalty
(2) Every person who contravenes subsection (1) is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $5. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 77 (2).”
You are required to attach at least two bells to the harness in such a manner as to provide ample warning to others on the roadway. Feeling dangerous or rebellious and don’t want to comply with this law? Well, if so, you’re going to be facing a $5.00 fine ($20 once the victim fine surcharge is applied). Undoubtedly this fine had more financial impact when it originally went on the books…
While it is fine to have a little light-hearted fun with some of the odder or more obscure sections of the Highway Traffic Act, there are certainly many very serious sections of law that can have enormous financial repercussions or cause loss of licensing, large increases to insurance costs, or even imprisonment. It is always prudent to seek out information about what you have been charged with and the consequences of a conviction before deciding how to handle being charged by the police.
Do You Need To Defend Yourself Against An Ontario Traffic Ticket?
If you need to defend your driving rights against an Ontario traffic ticket you should contact us as soon as possible. We have skill and experience in helping drivers just like you respond to a variety of traffic tickets and provide free, confidential consultations to empower you to fight your charges. We help drivers throughout Ontario including Cambridge, Georgetown, London, Windsor and from our home office in Kitchener. Contact us online or call us directly at 1.844.647.6869 or text us a copy of your ticket to 226-240-2480.
