Driving Violations

Driving Violations

A driving violation is any violation of the law by the vehicle’s driver while it is in motion. Traffic or moving violations involve fines which must be paid and sometimes demerit points assessed on the driver’s license.

Demerit points are added to your driver’s licence, if you are convicted of breaking certain driving laws. The rules are different depending on if you are a new driver or have a full licence. Learn more about demerit points from the Ministry of Transportation.

Common driving violations include the following:

Aggressive driving is when one or more persons operating a motor vehicle were acting in one or more of the following ways:

  • Operating the vehicle at a speed in excess of the maximum posted limit
  • Operating the vehicle within the posted limit, but too fast for existing road conditions
  • Following too closely
  • Disobeying a traffic control
  • Failing to yield right-of-way
  • Passing improperly

The Aggressive Drivers Hot Line is a phone number that concerned citizens may call if they witness an act of bad driving on the streets of Hamilton and wish to report the incident. As a second option, driving complaints may also be submitted by email. Both the telephone hotline and email address are operational 24/7.

Aggressive Drivers Hotline: 905-546-1768

Aggressive Drivers Email: [email protected]

Callers will be asked to leave a message on a voice mail system that includes the following information:

  • name and telephone number
  • the date of the offence
  • time of the offence
  • location of the offence
  • the offending driver’s licence plate number
  • description of the vehicle

Once the information is verified, Hamilton Police may issue a violation letter to the registered owner of the vehicle. Please note, this letter is not a fine.

  • Don't follow too closely
  • Keep right except to pass
  • Don’t make any type of inappropriate gestures
  • Use your horn infrequently
  • Avoid eye contact
  • Give “Aggressive Drivers” plenty of room
  • Keep a safe distance from an “Aggressive Driver”
  • Plan your trip and allow for delays
  • Driving requires your undivided attention
  • Don’t take your frustration out on other drivers

Cell phones and other electronic devices are some of the most common distractions for drivers. Distractions impair driving and significantly increase the risk of being involved in a collision.

  • Only use your cell phone when you’re parked, have a passenger make/take the call, or let it go to voicemail.
  • Turn off your cell phone before driving or put it in the trunk.
  • Set your GPS and preset your radio before leaving.
  • Avoid other distractions like reading, grooming, eating/drinking, tending to children/pets

Drivers found using any hand-held device can face fines of up to $1000. 

  • Drivers receiving their first distracted driving ticket will receive a $615 ticket and IF convicted will receive a three day drivers licence suspension
  • Drivers receiving their second distracted driving ticket will receive a summons to court and IF convicted will receive a fine between $500 - $2000 and a seven day drivers licence suspension
  • Drivers receiving their third distracted driving ticket will receive a summons to court and IF convicted will receive a fine between $500 - $3000 and a 30 day drivers licence suspension

To learn more about distracted driving, visit Ontario.ca/distracteddriving

Impaired driving means operating a vehicle (including cars, trucks, boats, snowmobiles and off-road vehicles) while your ability to do so has been compromised to any degree by consuming alcohol, drugs or a combination of the two.

Driving while under the influence puts yourself in danger, as well as your passengers, other drivers and pedestrians. Know what counts as impaired driving – and the penalties you could face for it – before you get behind the wheel.

Plan for a designated driver, take public transit, call a ride-sharing service, or arrange with a friend to stay the night.

Learn more about the penalties for Impaired Driving from the Ministry of Transportation.

Street racing is a dangerous and reckless form of aggressive driving that jeopardizes everyone’s safety.

Hamilton Police Service takes a zero-tolerance approach when dealing with drivers participating in street racing and will not hesitate to enforce the laws associated with this activity.

Charges related to street racing can include the following:

Dangerous driving is an offence under the Criminal Code of Canada and is committed when a driver drives with reckless disregard for public safety.  Dangerous driving carries a term of imprisonment for a maximum of 5 years. However, this penalty increases to 10-14 years if somebody was injured or killed as a result of the offence being committed. 

A person found guilty of Dangerous Driving will have a criminal record and will lose their driver’s licence for a minimum of one year. 

Careless driving is an offence under the Highway Traffic Act and is committed when a driver drives a vehicle or a street car on a highway without due car and attention or without reasonable consideration for other people using the highway.  The penalty for careless driving is a fine not less than $400 and not more than $2000 or imprisonment for a term of not more than 6 months. In addition, the driver’s licence may be suspended for a maximum period of 2 years.

A person found guilty of Careless driving will have 6 demerit points added to their driver’s licence as well as a conviction on their driving record.

Criminal negligence is an offence under the Criminal Code of Canada and is committed when (a)in doing anything, or (b) in omitting to do anything that is his duty to do, shows a wanton or reckless disregard for the lives or safety or other persons.

The offence of causing bodily harm by criminal negligence while street racing is considered an indictable offence and is punishable by a jail term of up to 14 years. Criminal negligence causing death while street racing is punishable by a possible life imprisonment.

Stunt Driving is when someone is exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 km/h over the legal limit.

If convicted, the penalty for stunt driving according to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act includes six demerit points, a fine between $2,000 – $10,000, possible jail up to six months, seven-day impoundment of vehicle, immediate seven-day drivers licence suspension plus the possibility of a two-year suspension, and increase to insurance rates.