Traffic Tickets

Information related to traffic tickets and traffic court.

Lower The Fine Without Going to Court

BC Courts Coat of ArmsAre you guilty of the offence shown on the traffic ticket but unable to pay the fine? In many cases you can apply to lower the fine so that it is more appropriate for your circumstances without having to set foot in traffic court. When the fine cannot be reduced or you need both a reduction and time to pay, that can be accomplished as well.

Q&A - Late Dispute Not Allowed

Q&A ImageI was pulled up into a turn lane at a traffic light with one car in front of me. The light turned green but he did not move. I put my truck into park and got out see what the matter. He was texting.

We had an argument and I knocked his mirror off accidently by swinging my hand to motion him to go.

Thoughts on Traffic Tickets

image of the top of BC traffic ticketsThe driver reaction to traffic tickets has always puzzled me. Arrest someone, fight with them, throw them in jail and see them through to penalty in criminal court seems to be business as usual for the police, but write someone a traffic ticket and it's like you've called their mother a bad name.

Q&A - Helping Out in Court

Q&A ImageI am representing my tenant in court as his English fluency is somewhat weak. As 2 officers stopped him, I was wondering if I were to call evidence from the officer who does not show up (assuming only 1 officer comes to court) would the Justice throw the case out since that would not be possible?

Q&A - Unpaid Traffic Tickets and Collection Agencies

Question: Q&A ImageAre collection agencies involved in collecting unpaid traffic tickets issued in BC? The collection agency that contacted me has been sending correspondence to an address in Delta. I have not had a drivers licence in BC or lived in BC for a long time. Now 7 years later they want me to pay the fine or risk having it effect my credit rating.

Nothing But a Tax Grab

Ticket Writer"This is nothing but a tax grab!" These words were often spoken by drivers during or just after signing to acknowledge the receipt of a violation ticket. I can understand being the target of an expression of frustration in these circumstances, but I wish that the expressing had a little thought behind it rather than just parroting something inappropriate to the circumstances.

Avoiding Penalty Points

Violation Ticket TopOne of the recurring themes among DriveSmartBC correspondents involves avoiding penalty points after a driver has received a traffic ticket for committing a hazardous moving violation. Often the driver realizes that they have erred and are willing to pay the fine but want to avoid having penalty points assessed for the transgression.

Failure to Keep Right

Q&A ImageQuestion: I got a ticket from an officer for "failure to keep right" after he showed up an hour after I had hydroplaned off of a ONE WAY to the right of the road. He gave me this ticket and he said he was being "nice" because he felt he could have gave me a speeding ticket (even thought he wasn't there) Do I have a case ?