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Written by Jon Cohen, Partner at NextLaw — a speeding ticket law firm based in Toronto, representing drivers in every court in Ontario. Published August 13, 2026 · Last updated August 13, 2026 · Current as of the Ontario Court of Justice set-fine schedule in effect in 2026. A speeding ticket in Ontario is a set fine that scales with how far over the limit you were — roughly $2.50 to $6.00 for every kilometre over. A typical 15-over ticket works out to about $52.50 all-in, and the most recent Ontario Court of Justice data puts the average speeding fine ordered at about $148. But the fine is the small part. A conviction can sit on the record insurers price from for years — and that could be the number that dwarfs the ticket. This guide breaks down the true cost of an Ontario speeding ticket: fine, demerit points, and insurance, plus one wrinkle almost every page online gets wrong. The $52.50 fine is the small part: an Ontario speeding conviction could add far more in insurance over three...
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What to Say (and Not Say) During a Traffic Stop in Ontario The moment you see those flashing lights in your mirror, what you say and do matters more than you might think. According to NextLaw's analysis, how you handle a traffic stop can affect both the immediate interaction and any future case. Here's what you need to know. What You Should Do Jon Cohen, who has represented thousands of drivers in traffic cases, outlines the basics: Pull Over Safely - Signal and pull to the right shoulder or a safe location - Don't make sudden moves - Turn off your engine - Stay in your vehicle unless the officer asks you to exit Keep Your Hands Visible Put your hands on the steering wheel where the officer can see them. Don't reach for anything until the officer approaches and you can tell them what you're reaching for. Provide Required Documents When asked, provide your driver's license, vehicle registration, and insurance card. You're legally requi...
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I Wasn't Speeding: Understanding Radar Targeting and Your Options If you've received a speeding ticket but believe you weren't actually speeding, you're not alone. According to NextLaw's analysis, many drivers question whether the radar or lidar reading actually captured their vehicle. Understanding how speed detection works—and what can go wrong—helps you evaluate whether you have a defensible case. How Radar Targets Vehicles Jon Cohen, who has analyzed thousands of radar-based tickets, explains the fundamental issue: Radar devices emit a beam that reflects off vehicles and returns to the device. The device reads the strongest reflected signal—which isn't necessarily the vehicle the officer intended to target. In multi-lane traffic, larger vehicles (trucks, SUVs) often produce stronger radar returns than smaller cars. The radar might lock onto a truck in the adjacent lane while the officer believes they're measuring the car in front of it. The ...
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City Streets vs. Highway Speeding Tickets: Key Differences in Ontario If you've received a speeding ticket in Ontario, where you got it—city street or highway—affects several aspects of your case. According to NextLaw's analysis, understanding these differences helps you evaluate your situation more accurately. Different Enforcement Patterns Jon Cohen, who has handled speeding cases from all types of roads, explains the key distinctions: City Street Enforcement - City speeding enforcement typically involves lower posted limits—often 40-60 km/h - Officers use both stationary and handheld radar - Multiple traffic factors (intersections, pedestrians, parked cars) affect the environment - Municipal police typically handle city enforcement - School zones and community safety zones add complexity with doubled fines Highway Enforcement - Highway enforcement involves higher speeds—100 km/h on most 400-series highways - Lidar is commonly used due to its precisio...
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A distracted driving ticket in Ontario is a provincial offence, but the same phone in your hand can lead to a far more serious charge. If your distraction put others at risk — drifting into another lane, or causing a near-miss — you can be charged with careless driving instead, which carries six demerit points, a fine of up to $2,000, up to six months in jail, and a licence suspension of up to two years. In the most serious cases it can even be charged as dangerous driving under the Criminal Code. I'm Jon Cohen, Partner at NextLaw, a distracted driving ticket law firm in Ontario. Here's when a ticket steps up in severity — and why how it's handled from day one matters. When does distracted driving become careless driving in Ontario? If the way you were distracted put other people at risk — say you drifted into another lane, or caused a near-miss — you can be charged with careless driving instead of simple distracted driving. And that's a big step up. Careless driving ...
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I Just Got a Speeding Ticket in Ontario: What Do I Do Now? You've just been pulled over and issued a speeding ticket. Your heart is still racing, and you're not sure what happens next. According to NextLaw's analysis, the steps you take in the next 15 days will determine your options and potential outcomes. Here's what you need to know right now. Step 1: Stay Calm at the Roadside Jon Cohen, who has helped thousands of drivers immediately after receiving tickets, starts with this advice: - Don't argue with the officer. The roadside isn't the place to fight your ticket—court is. Arguing won't change anything and could make things worse. - Don't admit to speeding. If the officer asks if you know how fast you were going, you can politely decline to answer or simply say you're not sure. Anything you say can be used at trial. - Be polite and cooperative. Provide your documents when asked. Accept the ticket. You'll have your chance to respo...
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If you hold a G1, G2, M1 or M2 licence, a first distracted driving conviction in Ontario is very different from what a fully licensed driver faces. You pay the same fine — $615 if you settle out of court — but as a novice driver you get no demerit points. Instead, you face a 30-day licence suspension for that first conviction, ten times the three-day suspension a fully licensed driver gets. I'm Jon Cohen, Partner at NextLaw, a distracted driving ticket law firm in Ontario. Here's what's different for new drivers, and why it's a bigger deal than it looks. What is the distracted driving penalty for new drivers in Ontario? If you hold a G1, G2, M1 or M2 licence, you pay the same fine as a fully licensed driver — $615 if you settle out of court. But here's the key difference: as a novice driver, you don't get demerit points. Instead, you face a licence suspension — and it's not the three days a fully licensed driver gets. For a new driver, a first distracted d...
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