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Ontario|Highway Traffic ActDriving Offences: Highway Traffic Act 521 Careless driving and dangerous driving The offence of careless driving is committed when a driver drives without reasonable care or attention to other drivers. If you have been charged with careless driving, you will be convicted if the facts suggest that you were driving without proper care and attention. The penalty for careless driving is a minimum fine of $200, a possible six month jail term, up to two years licence suspension, and six demerit points.
If you are charged with careless driving, the prosecutor will often be willing to plea bargain. A plea bargain is where you make a deal with the prosecutor that they reduce the charge against you, and in exchange you agree to plead guilty. For example, they might reduce a charge of careless driving to following too closely, changing lanes unsafely, or failing to yield. You should approach the prosecutor to find out whether they are willing to plea bargain.
If the police lay a charge following an accident, it will likely be for careless driving, dangerous driving, or criminal negligence. Dangerous driving is a criminal offence, and is punishable to a maximum of 6 months or 5 years in prison, depending upon whether the prosecutor proceeds summarily or by indictment. It is committed when a driver drives with reckless disregard for public safety. If you are charged with dangerous driving you should contact a lawyer for assistance.
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