Compared to the rest of the seasons, drivers appear to be on their best behaviour after the dog days of summer are over. Drivers say they get fewer traffic tickets during the fall months-October, November, and December-than any other time of the year.
Only 21 per cent of all traffic tickets disclosed by Kanetix.ca customers while getting auto insurance quotes last year were received during the fall. This low ticket season is followed by a high ticket season, winter, when drivers are more likely to say they've been pulled over and ticketed for a driving infraction:
- 28.1% of tickets were received in January, February or March
- 27.3% occurred during April, May or June
- 23.4% took place in July, August or September
- 21.2% happened in October, November or December
Tickets will cost you
Nobody is perfect; many drivers will receive a ticket at one time or another. Unfortunately, tickets are typically not limited to just a fine or demerit points; they may also affect your auto insurance upon renewal, especially if you already have a ticket on your record. Take the basics into consideration to avoid getting tickets in the first place:
- Don't speed.
Speeding tickets are one of the most common types of traffic tickets that drivers receive. Drive at a speed that is within the limit but also suitable for the weather conditions. - Wear your seatbelt.
Transport Canada estimates that about 95 per cent of Canadians buckle up. However, police still consider not wearing a seatbelt as one of the "Big Four Killers" on the road and will quickly ticket a driver if not all passengers have one on. In collisions where there's a fatality, about one-third were not strapped in. Stay safe by buckling up and avoid a ticket. - Stop when you're expected to stop.
You may think that running a red light or failing to fully stop at a stop sign will help you get to where you want to go faster, but it's dangerous and comes with a hefty fine. - Don't drive distracted.
All provinces and territories (aside from Nunavut) have some form of distracted driving-related legislation in place. Make the roads safer for you, your passengers, and everyone around you by paying attention to your surroundings and avoiding distractions and bad driving habits. - Take care when turning.
When you're ready to make a turn, make sure it's allowed first. If prohibited, an improper right turn, improper left turn, or an illegal u-turn may also come with a couple of demerit points.
Has a ticket lightened your wallet?
Did you know that traffic ticket convictions affect your insurance rates for at least three years? With a less than perfect driving record, you can find yourself paying a lot of extra premium until it is wiped off your record.
Keep your premiums low: drive safely, avoid tickets and shop around for your coverage to make sure your getting the best car insurance rate available. At Kanetix.ca, we shop the market to help you get the lowest rate, and our customers save an average of $750 because of it.
