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 Ottawa, 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.
- Courthouse
- Ottawa Provincial Offences Court
- Court Phone
- (613) 580-2424
- 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.
v.
Notes for Ottawa
Ottawa hears matters from Ottawa Police, OPP, and RCMP traffic across the National Capital Region. We make regular trips and accept retainers Ontario-wide.
Ottawa Provincial Offences Court
100 Constellation Drive, Ottawa, ON K2G 6J8
(613) 580-2424
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.