Amendments to the Highway Traffic Act that increase penalties for a number of offences are now in effect.
As of February 5, the minimum fine for 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 is increased to $100. The maximum fines have also been increased. A complete list of the offences and the new penalties is included in the backgrounder below.
The amendments to the legislation were announced in November and build upon other measures taken by the Provincial Government to improve road safety, such as the recent changes to impaired driving legislation, increased penalties for excessive speeding, stunting and street racing, 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
“People who commit these offences put themselves and other members of the public at risk every day. Raising these fines is a means of deterring these unsafe practices on our roadways, and is part of our government’s ongoing efforts to improve road safety in our province.”
Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh
Minister of Service NL
– 30 –
Learn More
Highway Traffic Act Changes Aim to Strengthen Road Safety gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/servicenl/1204n08.aspx
New Impaired Driving Legislation Comes Into Force: gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/servicenl/0921n03.aspx
Legislative Amendments Enhance Enforcement Measures: gov.nl.ca/releases/2016/servicenl/0510n01.aspx
Highway Traffic Act: www.assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/statutes/h03.htm
Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL and @ServiceNL_
Media contact
Gina MacArthur
Service NL
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 | Previous Fine | Fine as of February 5, 2018 | ||
| 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 Second offence Subsequent | 50 | 50 | 300 | 600 |
| 100 | 200 | 800 | 1100 | ||
| 300 | 500 | 1100 | 1600 | ||
| 43(5) | Invalid or no driver’s licence Second offence Subsequent | 50 | 50 | 300 | 600 |
| 100 | 200 | 800 | 1100 | ||
| 300 | 500 | 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 |