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Unsafe/Improper Turn

Occasionally, drivers neglect to use their turn signals or consider the safety of their surroundings when making a turn. This disregard can lead to receiving a traffic citation or causing an accident, or both.

The Highway Traffic Act contains numerous provisions regarding improper and unsafe turns. Violations such as unsafe left turns or unsafe right turns are quite common and are primarily governed by section 142(1), which mandates that drivers must:

Ensure the turn can be made safely.
Ensure the turn does not interfere with other vehicles, provided that there is a clearly visible signal indicating the intent to turn.

Failure to adhere to these requirements may result in receiving various Ontario traffic citations, including:

Unsafe turn citation in Ontario.
Failure to signal for a lane change.
Failure to signal for a turn.
Unsafe lane change.

Regarding unsafe lane changes: it is advisable for safety reasons to always signal when changing lanes, especially if your movement could affect other vehicles on the highway. Even if there are no nearby cars, it's best to ensure your visibility to avoid potential consequences.

Penalties for Unsafe Turning Violations:

$110 fine.
2 demerit points.
Potential impact on insurance rates.

Improper Turn Ticket (Left or Right)

These violations pertain to turns made in prohibited areas or from incorrect lanes. Improper turns can be hazardous and increase the risk of collisions because they make it difficult for other drivers to anticipate your next maneuver.

Various traffic laws regulate improper turns, including:

Improper right turns: sections 141(2) and 141(3) of the HTA.
Improper left turns: sections 141(6) and 141(7) of the HTA.
Turn contrary to intersection sign: section 144(9) of the HTA.
Disobeying signs: section 182(2) of the HTA.

Penalties for Improper Turn Violations:

$110 fine.
2 demerit points.
Conviction remains on your driving record for 3 years.
Likely impact on insurance rates.

Unsafe Lane Change or Shoulder Movement Ticket

Under section 154(1a) of the Highway Traffic Act, drivers must not change lanes or move onto or from the shoulder without ensuring it can be done safely.

Penalties for Unsafe Lane Change Tickets:

$110 fine.
3 demerit points.
Possible increase in insurance rates.

Following Too Closely Violation

This offense, covered by section 158(1) of the Highway Traffic Act, prohibits drivers from following other vehicles more closely than is "reasonable" and "prudent," considering speed, road conditions, and traffic.

Although the Highway Traffic Act does not specify a precise following distance based on speed, courts and law enforcement typically use a guideline of one car length per 10 km of the vehicle's speed to determine a safe distance.

You may be charged with a following too closely violation if:

A police officer observes you following too closely to another vehicle on the highway.
You rear-end another vehicle in an accident.

Penalties for Following Too Closely Violation (upon conviction):

$110 fine.
4 demerit points.
30-day license suspension for novice drivers (first offense).
This offense remains on your driving record for 3 years, potentially affecting your insurance premiums.

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