So i was doing a little reading a while back and i found a neat little article in the local paper about traffic rules that exist and do not exist. The article was written by Joe Fantauzzi for the york region papers. I wanted to post this because some of these violations can lead to increases in insurance costs for you (should you be convicted). So let’s play the game … Did you know …?
Common belief #1: My license plate sticker expires on my birthday, but i have until the end of the month to renew (or in my ex-wife’s case 10 months later haha)
Reality: Apparently not. While you may get a grace period of a few days, we actually have to renew the sticker on the date of our birthday …
Common belief #2: Pedestrians have the right of way (this is for all those who live in the core and have to do double takes)
Reality: Sometimes but not always! Jaywalking is not a legal means of entering the intersection and they could be charged. Another no-no is stepping out into the road during a the countdown on a crosswalk timer …What do you know!
Common belief #3: Speed trap! Warn others but don’t let the cops see because its illegal!
Reality: There actually isn’t a law saying you cannot do that. In fact, I would encourage more people to warn others of speed traps because it will slow traffic down!
Common belief #4: Left lane of the highway is for the fastest traffic (uh oh … i think i tweeted about this lol)
Reality: this is more of a common courtesy than law. Speed limit in Ontario is posted and for the 400 series highways it is primarily 100 km per hour. And as for trucks? Unless there are signs saying otherwise, they can drive in any lane on open stretches of highway
Common belief #5: Can’t make a lane change in an intersection
Reality: there is no law saying you cannot. If you do it safely with a turn signal, you’re all good.
Finally: #6 On ramp etiquette I want in!!! you have to make room for me!
Reality: its up to the driver entering the highway to merge safely with traffic.
There you have it … hope these help you be better drivers, keep you from getting tickets and help to keep your premiums lower!
<span> </span>auto insurance, Auto Trends, Uniquely Canadian<span>Post navigation<span>← Credit Scoring and You</span><span>Financing a succession plan →</span></span><span>2 thoughts on “Traffic Laws and you … did you know…?”</span><span><span><span>August 9, 2013</span>#6 On ramp etiquette I want in!!! you have to make room for me!
Reality: its up to the driver entering the highway to merge safely with traffic.Aren’t both drivers be responsible for such accident if the driver on the highway is seeing but intentionally not letting the merging car in?</span><span><span>August 9, 2013</span>You are totally correct. The driver merging in must merge safely with the traffic. In terms of the accident, it would totally depend on the direction of the impact. intentionally not letting a car in would be signs of road rage and that is a different than determining fault. Ultimately, the merging driver could slow down and wait for that person to move along then merge again when the lane is clear…</span></span>
