DriveSmartBC

Effective February 1, 2004 the ticketed amount for violations of the Motor Vehicle Act and Regulations rose by $23. This means that most common violations will amount to $109. Speeding will now start at $138 and go upward from there according to how much you exceed the limit, and intersection violations will be $167. Ouch!

Now for the good news: you will actually gain $2 if you choose to pay the ticket within 30 days of receiving it. Violation tickets issued on or after February 1 are eligible for a $25 discount if they are paid on time. Unfortunately, this will not apply to tickets issued before February 1.

The bad news only applies to speeders and those who do not appear for their dispute. If you choose to dispute your speeding ticket and lose, the justice is required to impose the ticketed amount shown on the form. In other words, losing a speeding ticket dispute will cost $25 more than if you paid the ticket initially. Failing to appear will result in a deemed conviction and the full ticketed penalty becoming due as well.

Please, drive safely and you won't have to worry about these changes at all!