Service NL
November 9, 2017
Changes to Highway Traffic Act Support Improved Road Safety
Legislation which will increase penalties for a number of offences under the Highway Traffic Act received second reading in the House of Assembly today.
The proposed amendments will result in significant increases to fines for a number of offences under the Highway Traffic Act that are currently less than $100, with an aim of increasing compliance and enhancing public safety.
The offences include infractions such as driving without a valid licence; failing to provide proof of insurance; illegal vehicle modifications; and driving without clearing snow from a windshield. A complete list of the offences and the new penalties is included in the backgrounder below.
These amendments build upon other measures by the Provincial Government to improve road safety in the province, such as the recent changes to impaired driving legislation, and changes that allow charges to be laid against the owner of a vehicle that illegally passes a school bus or is found to be speeding in school zones or construction zones.
Quote
“We are constantly looking for ways to improve road safety in our province. Bill 13, along with other amendments our government has introduced, will help deter unsafe practices on our roadways.”
Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh
Minister of Service NL
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Learn more
New Impaired Driving Legislation Comes Into Force: www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/servicenl/0921n03.aspx
Bill 68, An Act to Amend the Highway Traffic Act: www.assembly.nl.ca/business/bills/bill1668.htm
Legislative Amendments Enhance Enforcement Measures: //www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2016/servicenl/0510n01.aspx
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Media contact
Gina MacArthur
Service NL
709-729-4748, 730-2977
GinaMacarthur@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Summary of Bill 13 – An Act to Amend the Highway Traffic Act
|
Section of HTA |
Description of Offence |
Current Fine |
Proposed Fine |
||
|
|
|
Minimum |
Maximum |
Minimum |
Maximum |
|
29 |
Failure to produce vehicle licence |
25 |
100 |
100 |
175 |
|
30 |
Identification plates not securely fastened in proper position |
25 |
100 |
100 |
175 |
|
31 |
Failure to keep identification plates clean |
25 |
100 |
100 |
175 |
|
39 |
Failure to notify registrar of change of name |
25 |
100 |
100 |
175 |
|
42(a)(iii) |
Operating a vehicle contrary to paragraph 10(1)(d) |
25 |
100 |
100 |
175 |
|
43(4) |
No licence for class of motor vehicle |
50 100 300 |
50 200 500 |
300 800 1100 |
600 1100 1600 |
|
43(5) |
Invalid or no driver's licence |
50 100 300 |
50 200 500 |
300 800 1100 |
600 1100 1600 |
|
49(2) |
Licensee failing to produce licence upon request |
25 |
100 |
100 |
175 |
|
50(2) |
Failure to return or deliver licence |
25 |
100 |
100 |
175 |
|
57 |
Failure to notify registrar of lost driver's licence |
25 |
100 |
100 |
175 |
|
75(5)(c) |
Failure to produce proof that a policy is in force |
25 |
100 |
100 |
175 |
|
100(2) |
Vehicle proceeding at less than normal speed not driving in right hand lane |
45 |
180 |
100 |
235 |
|
111(1) |
Slow driving |
45 |
180 |
100 |
235 |
|
144(o) |
Failure to observe traffic-control device prohibiting parking or stopping |
20 |
90 |
100 |
170 |
|
155(c) |
Driving motor vehicle with windshield, so covered with snow as to obscure or obstruct vision |
45 |
180 |
100 |
235 |
|
187(5) |
Operating vehicle without proper equipment or of improper construction |
20 |
90 |
100 |
170 |
|
196(2) |
Failure to comply with vehicle inspection requirements |
60 |
120 |
100 |
160 |
2017 11 09 5:10 p.m.