The most suitable offer for your needs
The packages do not include the holding of a trial or any other legal act.
In the event that a trial is necessary, your lawyer will inform you of the costs associated with it.
Some additional costs may be added (request for postponement, travel if necessary, etc.)
*Applicable only for offenses related to the Highway Safety Code
3-5 points
- First consultation with one of our lawyers.
- Opening of your file and follow-up throughout the legal process.
- Assignment of a lawyer to your case.
- Sends the plea of not guilty (contestation of the ticket).
- Request for the disclosure of the evidence to the prosecutor.
- Legal analysis of the file.
- Search for information on your driving record with the SAAQ.
- Legal opinion personalized to your file given by your lawyer.
- Negotiation and correspondence with the court and the attorney in the file in order to obtain the best possible settlement for you.
- Settlement of your case or consultation for your trial.
Mandatory stops: stop signs, traffic lights, and school buses
Failing to come to a complete stop in compliance with the Highway Safety Code, especially at stop signs or when traffic lights are flashing, can result in fines and up to three demerit points on your driving record. When the flashing red lights of a school bus or minibus are activated, or when they extend their stop sign, you are legally required to stop your vehicle, maintaining a distance of at least five meters from the bus. A driver who fails to adhere to the mandatory stop rule can face penalties as follows: Cyclists may incur fines ranging from $80 to $100, while motorists could face fines between $200 to $300 in addition to receiving nine demerit points on their record.
Highway safety code regulations for mandatory stops
Per Section 460 of the Highway Safety Code, the regulations concerning mandatory stops are as follows:
“When a driver of a motor vehicle or a cyclist approaches a school bus or minibus with activated flashing red lights or the display of its mandatory stop signal, they are obligated to come to a full stop, maintaining a distance of at least 5 meters from the bus or minibus. They may only proceed or overtake the vehicle when the flashing red lights have been turned off, the mandatory stop signal has been retracted, and they have ensured that such actions can be carried out safely.
It is important to note that the first paragraph does not apply to drivers of motor vehicles and cyclists when they encounter a bus or minibus specifically used for the transportation of schoolchildren on an adjacent roadway separated by a median strip or another elevated physical barrier.”
Mandatory stop violation cases in Montreal
Case 1: A school bus slowing down with intermittent yellow lights
In this case, the accused was travelling in the left lane, and the bus was in the right lane. The bus began to slow down with flashing amber lights, indicating it was about to stop and activate the flashing red lights. Despite being only 10 to 20 feet from the bus, the accused attempted to overtake it, claiming they had noticed the yellow lights. The court rejected the accused’s testimony, suggesting they were too distracted to accurately perceive the situation.
Case 2: A bus stopped with flashing red lights while schoolchildren boarded
In this case, the accused failed to stop at least five meters from the bus when its red lights were flashing, and schoolchildren were boarding. The accused falsely claimed that the bus driver had signalled them to proceed, but this was proven to be untrue. The bus driver had actually indicated that the defendant needed to stop because a schoolgirl was approaching the bus to board. The bus driver had also activated their flashing red lights and stop signal. Consequently, the accused was found guilty.
Case 3: The motorist or cyclist was within five meters of the bus when the flashing red lights were activated or the stop signal was displayed
In this case, the accused was following four buses that had come to a stop on a street in front of a school. They claimed to have started passing the last bus, believing that no stop signal was deployed and the flashing red lights were off. However, they soon realized their mistake, slowed down, and passed the other three buses. The court’s analysis showed that all buses had their stop signals deployed and their flashing red lights on. According to the judgment, motorists must stop, even if they are less than five meters from the bus. The accused was found guilty.
What can MTL Ticket do for you?
Have you received a stop sign ticket and want to contest it? Our team of traffic ticket lawyers is well-versed in the Highway Safety Code and can help you fight your case. Upon receiving a stop sign ticket, you have a mere 30 days to initiate a challenge. Reach out to us immediately after obtaining the ticket.
Upon reviewing the evidence against you, if there’s a viable defence, we’ll assist you in contesting the ticket to save you from fines and demerit points. Even when no defence is available, we can negotiate on your behalf to secure the best possible resolution given the circumstances. We’re here to support you.
