i.
What the charge means
Section 130 of the HTA covers a marked departure from the standard of care a reasonable person would observe. Often charged following a collision.
Highway Traffic Act s.130
Careless Driving charges in Ontario.
Driving without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for others. Often laid following an accident — 6 demerit points and insurance impact significant.
- Charge
- Highway Traffic Act s.130
- Jurisdiction
- All of Ontario
- Consultation
- Free & Confidential
ii.
Penalties
Fine $400–$2,000; up to 6 months imprisonment; licence suspension up to 2 years; 6 demerit points. A conviction is a major insurance offence.
iii.
Available defences
- Momentary lapse vs marked departure
- Mechanical failure
- Sudden emergency or third-party act
- Disclosure deficiencies
iv.
The process
Disclosure, accident reconstruction review, pre-trial discussions to reduce to a lesser HTA offence where appropriate.
Charged with careless driving?
Defence starts with a conversation.
Twenty minutes, confidential, no obligation. We’ll discuss your charge, the realistic outcomes, and the cost of defence before you commit to anything.