Ticket for left turn when forbidden between 7-9 (advice?)

[m4gician]

Hey guys,

I don't drive downtown Toronto that much unless I have to (traffic, parking, etc.) I got pulled over a while back for making a left turn at 7:15 am when it wasn't allowed between 7am - 9am. Now the only defense I have is that there was a larger vehicle (not quite a semi, but a truck with a big trailer) infront of me obstructing the signs on this narrow road with no left turn lane.

I don't drive down this particular road that often and have not noticed these traffic signs before. However for insurance purposes I'd rather make this go away so I've booked a court date (sometime february of next year) and was wondering what can I do to make sure this ticket is thrown out or so that I am exempt. The only reason I made a left turn is that I saw no vehicles oncoming and a vehicle adjacent to make made a right turn so further evidence it was a safe turn. The officers were 3 blocks down and pulled me over on foot.

I hate getting stupid tickets like this because insurance will triple and that's not entirely fair on their behalf to charge me like a 19 year old with my car kissing the ground and my exhaust annoying the neighborhood.

Any advice on what to do? I was told to ask for "full disclosure" or "the officers notes" etc to maybe find a way out of this, but I mean come on, if the truck wasn't there I would've seen the ticket and it was 7:15 :(. Any help guys/gals would be appreciated.

[mv10]

Hey guys,

I don't drive downtown Toronto that much unless I have to (traffic, parking, etc.) I got pulled over a while back for making a left turn at 7:15 am when it wasn't allowed between 7am - 9am. Now the only defense I have is that there was a larger vehicle (not quite a semi, but a truck with a big trailer) infront of me obstructing the signs on this narrow road with no left turn lane.

I don't drive down this particular road that often and have not noticed these traffic signs before. However for insurance purposes I'd rather make this go away so I've booked a court date (sometime february of next year) and was wondering what can I do to make sure this ticket is thrown out or so that I am exempt. The only reason I made a left turn is that I saw no vehicles oncoming and a vehicle adjacent to make made a right turn so further evidence it was a safe turn. The officers were 3 blocks down and pulled me over on foot.

I hate getting stupid tickets like this because insurance will triple and that's not entirely fair on their behalf to charge me like a 19 year old with my car kissing the ground and my exhaust annoying the neighborhood.

Any advice on what to do? I was told to ask for "full disclosure" or "the officers notes" etc to maybe find a way out of this, but I mean come on, if the truck wasn't there I would've seen the ticket and it was 7:15 :(. Any help guys/gals would be appreciated.

I got pull over once for making illegal left turn. I asked the police officer if it will affect my insurance, and he said it wouldn't.

I'd just go into the court myself, plead guilty with explanation. Get the fine reduced, and pay the fine. As far as insurance, I don't think there's too much to worry.

[thelefteyeguy]

why do you think your insurance will triple?

it's the same as a under 49km/hr speeding ticket (category: minor offense)

most insurance companies allow 3 before there's a 15% surcharge.

[mv10]

why do you think your insurance will triple?

it's the same as a under 49km/hr speeding ticket (category: minor offense)

most insurance companies allow 3 before there's a 15% surcharge.

There's really no such a rule when it comes to insurance. Insurance company can decide to raise the premium pretty much anytime they wish, for any % extra they wish. Whether or not they have the grace ticket policy, they always have some excuse to justify bending their own policy. So one can never answer your question with regard to how much your insurance might increase with certainty.

Despite all that, there are a few companies that allow one grace ticket. But I don't think there's one that allow 3 tickets.

[Whitedart]

Hey guys,

I don't drive downtown Toronto that much unless I have to (traffic, parking, etc.) I got pulled over a while back for making a left turn at 7:15 am when it wasn't allowed between 7am - 9am.

Any advice on what to do? I was told to ask for "full disclosure" or "the officers notes" etc to maybe find a way out of this, but I mean come on, if the truck wasn't there I would've seen the ticket and it was 7:15 :(. Any help guys/gals would be appreciated.

Was this an HTA Prohibited Turn, or Toronto Traffic by-law pohibited turn?

Going back several years, they used to have both offences available, where the by-law offence would not affect your insurance and was considered a lesser charge.
Do some checking as this may still be the case. If so, speak to the prosecutor and plead guilty to the by-law offence. The fine may be similar, but it will likely not affect your insurance any more than a parking ticket.

[gilboman]

why do you think your insurance will triple?

it's the same as a under 49km/hr speeding ticket (category: minor offense)

most insurance companies allow 3 before there's a 15% surcharge.

lol...3 tickets and most will cancel your policy and you have to goto facility

[TrevorK]

Any advice on what to do?

Did you turn left when you weren't supposed to?

Then I would take responsibility and pay the ticket.

Not paying attention to the road is not an excuse for disobeying the traffic rules. When you are driving in areas you rarely/never commute in you should be paying extra attention to your surroundings, especially when they are high traffic areas.

[AzNCrAzYcOoLeR]

Was this an HTA Prohibited Turn, or Toronto Traffic by-law pohibited turn?

Going back several years, they used to have both offences available, where the by-law offence would not affect your insurance and was considered a lesser charge.
Do some checking as this may still be the case. If so, speak to the prosecutor and plead guilty to the by-law offence. The fine may be similar, but it will likely not affect your insurance any more than a parking ticket.



I had the same incident, where I did an illegal right at 5:55PM and the sign said no turns between 4pm to 6pm. He wrote it as a by-law, and the fine was just $18

[KorruptioN]

Did you turn left when you weren't supposed to?

Then I would take responsibility and pay the ticket.

Not paying attention to the road is not an excuse for disobeying the traffic rules. When you are driving in areas you rarely/never commute in you should be paying extra attention to your surroundings, especially when they are high traffic areas.

Seriously. What advice are we supposed to give you? You made an incorrect left turn, there's really no changing that.

[Nikita]

Hey guys,

I hate getting stupid tickets like this because insurance will triple and that's not entirely fair on their behalf to charge me like a 19 year old with my car kissing the ground and my exhaust annoying the neighborhood.


LOL...I find it funny that you think you shouldn't get ticketed because your ride wasn't pimped and your not a teenager. In any event, your defense that you didn't see the sign because a big truck was in front of you will likely get the response that you were following too closely. But hey, that's just my opinion....never hurts to try.

[m4gician]

LOL...I find it funny that you think you shouldn't get ticketed because your ride wasn't pimped and your not a teenager. In any event, your defense that you didn't see the sign because a big truck was in front of you will likely get the response that you were following too closely. But hey, that's just my opinion....never hurts to try.

look, I don't find it fair that my insurance will nearly triple because of this "moving violation" it says contrary to HTA on my ticket, I just want a way to weezel out of it.

[m4gician]

BUMP - There must be someone who has had a ticket fighting agency give advice or at least had a similar ticket. I just want a way to get a way out of this without this appearing on my abstract. On my notice of trial, this was only sent to me, not sent to the officer, or what not.