| Every year, millions of Canadians travel to the | | | | the date of offense, time of offense, place of |
| United States in their vehicles, or they rent cars | | | | offense, as well as a description of the alleged |
| once they have arrived. As in Canada, The United | | | | violation. You must appear in the court where the |
| States traffic laws must be obeyed. Most traffic | | | | alleged traffic violation occurred. You will then |
| laws that Canadians tend to violate are speeding | | | | enter either a plea of guilty or not guilty. You |
| tickets and parking violations. When Canadians | | | | must appear in person at your trial. If you plead |
| drive in the US, they should be aware of how the | | | | guilty, the judge will assess your fine based on |
| traffic ticket system works. | | | | the type of traffic violation. |
| When it comes to speeding tickets, fines can | | | | If you are driving a rental car and receive a |
| vary because many states determine the amount | | | | traffic violation ticket such as a parking fine, the |
| of the fine based on how many miles per hour | | | | car rental agency will have to pay it, but they will |
| the driver was driving above the speed limit. The | | | | charge the fine to your credit card. If you are |
| faster you are traveling, the higher the fine. Many | | | | driving your own car and receive a ticket, you |
| US states have a higher maximum speed limit | | | | may have demerit points placed against you |
| than in Canada. Many U.S. highways have a | | | | driver's license, especially if the state and the |
| maximum speed limit of 65 mph and in some as | | | | province in which you live share an agreement. If |
| high as 70 mph. When you sign a traffic violation | | | | you ignore any type of traffic violation, the state |
| ticket such as a speeding ticket, you are | | | | has the right to issue a warrant for your arrest. |
| acknowledging that you are going to appear in | | | | You can be arrested if you return to the United |
| court. If you do not appear at the scheduled | | | | States. |
| court session time and return to Canada, you can | | | | When it comes to demerit points, nearly all |
| be held in contempt of court. The court can then | | | | insurance companies will increase insurance |
| place a bench warrant for your arrest. If you | | | | premium rates if a driver receives a major traffic |
| ever re-enter that state where you have been | | | | violation that results in 4+ points. The best way |
| alleged to have committed the traffic offence, | | | | for drivers to avoid demerit points from being |
| you can be arrested. | | | | applied to their record is to maintain a clean driving |
| The speeding ticket system is different in the US | | | | record in both Canada and the United States is to |
| than in Canada. For instance, if you are driving in a | | | | maintain a clean driving record when traveling |
| state such as New York, and are stopped by a | | | | within both Canada and the United States. It will |
| police officer, you will be issued what is known as | | | | also avoid any future criminal charges and an |
| a 'Uniform Traffic Ticket.' This ticket will display | | | | increase in auto insurance premiums. |