Hand held device ticket advice

[outlander]

I know, I shouldn't off picked up my phone while driving.
Had a family(dad) emergency and was on my way to a hospital. My cousin called and I wasn't thinking clearly so I picked up. Next I see flashing lights behind me. Tried explaining myself to officer but she looked at me with her cold hearted eyes and didn't care to much.

What's my chance if I fight it?
Any of you had any luck?

 

[nobody123]

I know, I shouldn't off picked up my phone while driving.
Had a family(dad) emergency and was on my way to a hospital. My cousin called and I wasn't thinking clearly so I picked up. Next I see flashing lights behind me. Tried explaining myself to officer but she looked at me with her cold hearted eyes and didn't care to much.

What's my chance if I fight it?
Any of you had any luck?

Having a compelling reason for breaking the law doesn't mean you weren't breaking the law. The time for appealing to someone's humanity, was, alas with the cop. I think it sucks that she chose to be a hard-ass, but ain't no judge going to side with a sob story over the capital "L" Law.

 

[outlander]

Having a compelling reason for breaking the law doesn't mean you weren't breaking the law

I'm aware of that.

Just want to see, from others experiences, what chance if any do I have.

 

[Celticman]

The problem is that the cop has heard every story there is many times. Same for the judge you will see. Would you guess that most of the time the heart rending stories posed are made up? So the odd time there is something legit, it sounds the same as the run of the mill BS. There are no points involved, so I would pay the fine.

 

[Hurricane Hank]

I went to court to fight the same charge, and won. Handling such a device doesn't necessarily mean that you are using it. This has been ruled on by the Supreme Court of Ontario I believe.

Do a little research and you may have some luck. At the very least, arrange for an early resolution meeting with the prosecutor. They will offer you a smaller fine, or a court date. They will not drop the charge at that meeting, regardless of any story or evidence you may have.

 

[outlander]

Thanks for all the advice.

I know they won't drop my charge if I give the courts a sad story. I'm sure they heard all the stories before. Just like the OPP officer who pulled me over.

 

[Art Mann]

Why fight it? Is it really worth the effort?

The fine for "distracted driving" is $155 with no demerit points in Ontario, according to CAA. Compare that to $280 and 4 demerit points in Saskatchewan.

Rather than arguing your "compelling reason for breaking the law" you should simply recognize your compelling reason for buying a hands-free bluetooth unit for your car.

Like this one, for $60, that clips on your visor:

 

[WinterHawk]

I can't believe the number of people I see who are driving with 1 hand on the wheel and the other with their phone up to their head, driving slow, weaving in their lane. Constantly looking down to text on their phone, slow to move off with the traffic, sometimes only after giving them the horn.

Are you all CHEAP BASTARDS who can't pony up for a hands free Bluetooth device? I'd make the fine higher, like $1k if you do not show up at the police station with a receipt showing that you now own a hands free device.

If these ass whipes can't affor $100 for a BT device, then we are going to have a intice them to save $900 by buying one. Pay $100 now or $1k?

Or what they could do is just take your phone away on the spot returning it only if you show up with a hands free device at the police station. Either way I have had it with people who think they are more important than everyone else.

 

[fuji]

I know, I shouldn't off picked up my phone while driving.
Had a family(dad) emergency and was on my way to a hospital. My cousin called and I wasn't thinking clearly so I picked up. Next I see flashing lights behind me. Tried explaining myself to officer but she looked at me with her cold hearted eyes and didn't care to much.

What's my chance if I fight it?
Any of you had any luck?

Pay your fine and invest in a hands-free system. Your emergency didn't justify putting people's lives in danger.

 

[diehard]

Fight it.

If you can prove the call was really an emergency, then chances are good you can beat the charge.

There was must hospital records of your dad's admission, the 911 call, the date/time you received the call from relative , etc.

Ask for disclosure.

 

[afterhours]

Are you all CHEAP BASTARDS who can't pony up for a hands free Bluetooth device?

short answer would have to be "yes".

Considering how cheap the technology is, I wonder why auto manufacturers are not obligated to install the most basic version of it in all new cars.

 

[KBear]

compelling reason for buying a hands-free bluetooth unit for your car.

Like this one, for $60, that clips on your visor:

Most of the new phones are hands free, would be easier to clip your phone to the visor.

Used to see people with the blue tooth earpiece all over, but have not noticed them being used as often lately. Are they going out of style, or still popular?

 

[nobody123]

Used to see people with the blue tooth earpiece all over, but have not noticed them being used as often lately. Are they going out of style, or still popular?

Falling out of use because a) improvements in noise cancellation technology have made the handsfree devices like the one Art Mann posted preferable and b) they were (and are) a SCREAMING badge of douchebaggery.

 

[kwwebcam]

Why fight it? Is it really worth the effort?

The fine for "distracted driving" is $155 with no demerit points in Ontario, according to CAA. Compare that to $280 and 4 demerit points in Saskatchewan.

Rather than arguing your "compelling reason for breaking the law" you should simply recognize your compelling reason for buying a hands-free bluetooth unit for your car.

Like this one, for $60, that clips on your visor:

Are you really stupid enough to think the only cost with a ticket like this is the fine? Try insurance hikes, especially if he already has any sort of accident or other violation on his record.
Fight the ticket. As someone else has mentioned, handling such items is not necessarily using the item.

 

[diehard]

Why fight it? Is it really worth the effort?

The fine for "distracted driving" is $155 with no demerit points in Ontario, according to CAA.

It doesn't matter if there are no demerit points.

Insurance companies will see the conviction and hike his rate.

 

[outlander]

I can't believe the number of people I see who are driving with 1 hand on the wheel and the other with their phone up to their head, driving slow, weaving in their lane. Constantly looking down to text on their phone, slow to move off with the traffic, sometimes only after giving them the horn.

Are you all CHEAP BASTARDS who can't pony up for a hands free Bluetooth device? I'd make the fine higher, like $1k if you do not show up at the police station with a receipt showing that you now own a hands free device.

If these ass whipes can't affor $100 for a BT device, then we are going to have a intice them to save $900 by buying one. Pay $100 now or $1k?

Or what they could do is just take your phone away on the spot returning it only if you show up with a hands free device at the police station. Either way I have had it with people who think they are more important than everyone else.

YES!!!!! I am a cheap bastard!!! I also text and drive while driving 80km/h in the left lane.

Non of you know me or how I drive but are quick to make judgment. But it seems like that's normal in Toronto. Everyone is quick to judge.

 

[nobody123]

YES!!!!! I am a cheap bastard!!! I also text and drive while driving 80km/h in the left lane.

Non of you know me or how I drive but are quick to make judgment. But it seems like that's normal in Toronto. Everyone is quick to judge.

The hell you say! Quick to judge? What utter nonsense. You sound like a jerk. A jerk with lousy taste in music who talks too loud in restaurants!

 

[outlander]

Pay your fine and invest in a hands-free system. Your emergency didn't justify putting people's lives in danger.

Sorry for putting you all in danger on that Friday. I'm really sorry

 

[outlander]

The hell you say! Quick to judge? What utter nonsense. You sound like a jerk. A jerk with lousy taste in music who talks too loud in restaurants!

Wow! How do you know me so well??? Crazy!!!

 

[cc12rye]

I know, I shouldn't off picked up my phone while driving.
Had a family(dad) emergency and was on my way to a hospital. My cousin called and I wasn't thinking clearly so I picked up. Next I see flashing lights behind me. Tried explaining myself to officer but she looked at me with her cold hearted eyes and didn't care to much.

What's my chance if I fight it?
Any of you had any luck?

I'll try to provide some useful information to make up for all the grief you got on this tread.
A very,very long time ago, I got pulled over for something like 70 in a 50 zone.
The first thing the officer asked was if I had a medical emergency.
I said no and got a ticket but a medical situation did warrant consideration back in the 90's.

A moving violation regardless of points will be a factor for auto insurance.
Most companies won't increase your rates for one violation but it puts you in a weaker position if you want to switch companies for a better rate.

If you request a trial, you can explain to the prosecutor these circumstances before the trial.
He or she is likely to offer you some sort of deal.
Also, if the officer does not appear to present evidence, the charges will be withdrawn.
Even if you have agreed to a lesser charge, the prosecutor will withdraw the charges if they have no evidence to support the plea deal.