In Quebec, when a driver exceeds the permitted speed limit, tickets are categorized into two groups: speeding and excessive speeding.
What are speeding violations
In Quebec, when it comes to speeding violations, the SAAQ (Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec) provides a comprehensive breakdown of fines and demerit points on their website. They have categorized this information into three main tables:
- For zones with a posted speed limit of less than 60 km/h.
- For zones with a posted speed limit of more than 60 km/h but not exceeding 90 km/h.
- For zones with a posted speed limit of 100 km/h or higher
It’s important to note that fines double automatically when you are in a road work zone or a school zone during school hours. This detailed information is readily available to help you understand the consequences of speeding violations and make informed decisions while on the road.
How police calculate speeding violations
In Quebec, various methods are employed to detect speeding violations on the road and, in turn, issue speeding tickets. These include photo radars, typically installed along highways, police radars used by law enforcement to identify speeding on both highways and less congested roads, and the tracking method.
The tracking method is relatively straightforward: a police officer follows a vehicle at a set distance over a defined stretch of road for a specific period. This allows them to determine the speed of the vehicle they are tailing, utilizing their own vehicle’s odometer for reference.
To establish speed using this technique, three key factors come into play:
- A consistent distance is maintained between the pursuing and pursued vehicles.
- The constant speed of the tracked vehicle.
- The total length of the tracking process.
Should any of these elements remain uncertain or unverified, the tracking method may not be relied upon to establish the driver’s guilt. Notably, the Quebec Court of Appeal has ruled that the odometers in police vehicles are recognized measuring devices, removing the necessity for additional validation of their functionality or calibration.
What to do if you receive a speeding ticket
If you want to dispute a speeding ticket, you need to act fast. Our traffic ticket lawyers will explain how to contest your ticket and help you handle this infraction.
