driving without proper headlights

[lexnar]

driving home from work after 2 a.m., i was stopped near an intersection & ticketed by an unmarked p. cruiser. the lady officer asked me if i have any idea that my passenger side headlight was 'OUT'. I said NO. fact is, i was totally unaware of this condition (chk 2b busted bulb later). i know that my front was illuminated during the 30 min trip S/bound H404 & thought both H/Ls were working. who cares about lights anyways after working 10 hrs 'til 2 a.m.

Offence : 'Drive without proper headlights' - motor vehicle, HTA Sect 62 (1)
Fine $85 (total $110 including surcharge), officer told me to go
to court & drive safe.
Lesson : Self explanatory. frankly have no idea when my pass H/L started
to go blind
Q/A :
1. Searched various i/net listings re ON traffic/driving violations BUT this
offence is NOT listed including demerit pts. Other suggested sources ?
2. If i choose court 'option 2' - "to plead guilty w/an explanation, etc.
what are the chances of having the $110 fine reduced or any demerit
voided? any acceptable explanation i can give to the court?
3. Wud it make any difference to the court if the ticket states "headlight"
-vs- what the officer wrote as "headlights" the fact being that only 1
headlight was not proper (so vehicle was not totally unsafe. also canada
drives rightside of the road).
Just in case, don't be alarmed when an officer is always on the ready w/the hand on the holster at this time of day even if it is only for a busted H/L.

Hope this experience helps. I do need your comments.

early bird

[MeiserT]

Sorry to hear about the ticket :(

Really no point in fighting it since it is a 0 demerit offense.

Unless you are going to, then good luck and hope to hear how it turned out in court for you.

Headlights are just like household lightbulbs in my view. They can go out randomly at the least opportune moment, causing you grief, such as your ticket.

Stupid headlight, lol

[MeiserT]

................... from mto.gov.on.ca ......
-------------------

7 points

* failing to remain at the scene of a collision

6 points

* careless driving
* racing
* exceding the speed limit by 50 km/h or more
* failing to stop for a school bus

5 points

* driver of bus failing to stop at unprotected railway crossing

4 points

* exceding the speed limit by 30 to 49 km/h
* following too closely

3 points

* exceding the speed limit by 16 to 29 km/h
* driving through, around or under a railway crossing barrier
* failing to yield the right-of-way
* failing to obey a stop sign, traffic light, or railway crossing signal
* failing to obey the directions of police officer
* driving the wrong way on a divided road
* failing to report a collision to a police officer
* improper driving where road is divided into lanes
* crowding the driver's seat
* going the wrong way on a one-way road
* driving or operating a vehicle on a closed road
* crossing a divded road where no proper crossing is provided

2 points

* failing to lower headlight beam
* improper opening of a vehicle door
* prohibited turns
* towing people - on tobaggans, bicycles, skis, for example
* failing to obey signs
* failing to stop at a pedestrian crossing
* failing to share the road
* improper right turn
* improper left turn
* failing to signal
* unnecessary slow driving
* reversing on a divided high-speed road
* driver failing to wear a seat belt
* driver failing to ensure that a passenger less than 23 kg is buckled into seat belt or child safety seat
* driver failing to ensure passenger under 16 years wearing seat belt

[bobby5]

Not sure if this would work: get the headlight(s) fixed asap, then show that invoice/receipt in court. If you are lucky, the ticket will be thrown out

[googoo]

I wonder if this ticket can simply be cnacelled when you show a receipt?

This is one of the silliest tickets, you could have gotten to work at 6p.m., and you wouldn't have known, it could blow when you turn on your car, seems like the cop just wanted some overtime or the good old day when a cop would just tell you to get it fixed ASAP, and it they caught you later and it wasn't fixed THEN you'd get charged --- I guess that maybe they were the "good ole days"

Brent

[Psycho44]

show the receipt and it will be thrown out.

I was driving to work at 12 midnight and was stopped and ticketed for not having lights illuminating my rear license plate. Ended up late for work and having to miss a day of work not to mention the stress of uncertainty what's going to happen to my insurance rate. Went to court showed the receipt and attorney let me go. Was that easy.

[MeiserT]

So if you can provide a receipt that the light was fixed, you could possibly have the ticket thrown out?

That is good info to know :)

[lexnar]

thanx guys! Meiser T, Psycho 44, googoo Brent D/A, bobby5
very much inspired by ur comments. i can't wait til monday the 13th to book my case. am sure of a very positive outcome (trashed ticket or at least reduced fine) armed w/ur experience & suggestions to -- show receipt/invoice as proof that it has been fixed. I am so relieved to know that it is a zer0 demerit. it bothers a lot getting into trouble w/the law (1st ticket was for a +40 speeding past 2 a.m. Hwy 404 3 yrs ago. man, don't ask how it feels staring at those UFO-like red, blue lights behind ordering you to pull-over, pull-over).
i salute you all. thanx again.

earlybirdticketee

[U4IA]

Tickets like these really piss me off..

I've never had one for a vehicle problem like this, but I thought the gave you 24 hours to fix the problem and prove it, otherwise get a ticket..

Especially things like headlights, taillights since they can just burn on and you might not know..or heck, if it burns out on your way home or to crappy tire.... jeeze..

Lame cops....