In Ontario, a red light camera ticket has two main components. First, there are no demerit points. Second, the ticket is issued to the registered owner of the vehicle, not the driver. Because of this, most people just pay the fine, believing it won't affect them. This is a costly mistake.
The fine itself is significant—$325 in Ontario ($260 fine + $60 victim surcharge + $5 court cost). More importantly, paying the ticket is an admission of guilt and results in a conviction on your record. While it's not a demerit-point offence, insurance companies can and do check your abstract for all convictions. A red light camera conviction flags you as a risk-taker, which can lead to your insurance premiums increasing at your next renewal.
Fighting a red light camera ticket is not just about the $325 fine; it's about preventing a conviction and protecting yourself from thousands of dollars in insurance hikes over the next three years.
Red Light Camera Ticket Cost Breakdown
- Base Fine: $260
- Victim Surcharge: $60
- Court Costs: $5
- Total Fine: $325
- Potential Insurance Increase: 10-25% over 3 years
No Demerit Points
Red light camera tickets don't carry demerit points, but the conviction can still impact your insurance rates and driving record.
Insurance Protection
A conviction can increase your insurance premiums by 10-25% for three years, costing you thousands of dollars.
Owner Responsibility
The ticket is issued to the vehicle owner, not necessarily the driver at the time of the infraction.
Financial Savings
Fighting your ticket can save you the $325 fine plus potential insurance increases over several years.