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 St. Catharines, 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
- Niagara Region Provincial Offences Court
- Court Phone
- (905) 687-6590
- 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 St. Catharines
St. Catharines criminal matters are heard at the St. Catharines courthouse on Church Street. Provincial offences from across Niagara Region, St. Catharines included, are heard at the Niagara Region POA court in Welland.
Traffic / POA Court
Niagara Region Provincial Offences Court
445 East Main Street, Welland, ON L3B 3X7
(905) 687-6590
All Niagara Region provincial offences, St. Catharines included. Niagara runs a single POA courthouse, in Welland — there is no POA courtroom in St. Catharines.
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