Do You Get Demerit Points for Improper Lane Changes?
Improper lane changes put other drivers’ safety at risk, and could result in collisions causing serious injuries. If you receive a citation for an improper lane change, you will most likely be issued demerit points.
Drivers who receive demerit points for improper lane changes may face increased insurance rates. If they acquire too many demerit points, they may even lose their licenses.
Drivers who commit improper lane changes and cause a car accident may also be liable for the injuries they cause to other drivers.
How the Demerit Points System Works
The demerit point system exists to prevent unsafe drivers from placing other motorists at risk. A history of traffic infractions may demonstrate reckless behaviour, and an accumulation of too many demerit points may result in a suspension or revocation of your driving privileges.
Demerit points remain on your driving record for two years. According to Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation, license-holders who accumulate between nine and fourteen points may face license suspensions. New drivers with lower grade licenses may face a license suspension for accumulating between six and eight points.
Traffic offences are graded based on severity. Minor violations, such as failing to wear a seatbelt, may result in two demerit points. Severe offences, such as fleeing the scene of an accident, could result in seven demerit points.
Multiple convictions for driving offences may result in:
- An auto insurance policy price increase of up to 25% per offence
- Cancellation of your insurance policy, if your driving offence conviction involved criminal behaviour
- Escalating penalties for additional convictions, if you are a new driver
- And possibly more
Other Actions That May Result in Demerit Points
Traffic convictions may result in two, three, four, six, or seven demerit points. Offences that result in two demerit points include:
- Making an improper turn
- Failing to stop
- Failure to use turn signal
- Failure to yield for pedestrians
- And possibly more
Traffic violations that result in three demerit points include:
- Operating a vehicle while using a hand-held device
- Exceeding the speed limit by 16-29 km/h
- Making improper lane changes on highways
- Failing to obey a police officer
- Making an improper pass
- And possibly more
Serious offences that may result in four, six, or seven demerit points include:
- Street racing
- Failing to stop for a police officer
- Exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/h or more
- Driving recklessly
- Tailgating
- And possibly more
An Improper Lane Change is Considered Driver Negligence
As a violation of traffic law, an improper lane change is also considered to be a form of driver negligence. If a driver who commits an improper lane change causes an accident as a result, may be liable for the damages they cause.
According to Ontario’s Negligence Act, victims of accidents caused by improper lane changes may be entitled to compensation for damages they suffered due to the other driver’s negligence. Damages resulting from a car accident may include:
- Medical expenses, including treatments, rehabilitation therapies, and medications
- Estimated future costs of medical care
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
- And possibly more
If you were injured by a driver who committed an improper lane change, a car accident lawyer may be able to help you pursue accountability and financial restitution.
Call Preszler Injury Lawyers Today
If you have sustained serious injuries in a car accident caused by a driver who committed an improper lane change, Preszler Injury Lawyers may be able to help you by:
- Answering your questions and providing legal advice
- Communicating with insurance companies and other parties on your behalf
- Identifying the liable party in your case
- Compiling and analyzing evidence of driver liability and injuries sustained
- Hiring accident reconstructionists and medical experts, if necessary
- Negotiating a settlement offer with insurance companies
- Representing your case in trial, if necessary
To learn more about how Preszler Injury Lawyers may be able to help, call 1-800-JUSTICE to discuss your case in a free, initial consultation.
