Hi,

I was sitting in the back seat of the car, not wearing the seat belts, a police cop stopped the car and gave me a ticket of 86 dollar for not wearing the seatbelt. Now I am new (just been a month since i came) to this country and no one ever told me that I have to wear seat belt while sitting on the back seat too. The officer said that I could dispute the ticket, now what i wanna know is, say if i don't pay the ticket then what would be the consequences, both short term and long term (Long term because I wish to apply for immigration after a year or so).

And say if i dispute the ticket saying that I didn't know about it then will it be waived off.

Please give me your comments.

Thanks

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Manny

"Experience is the name every one gives to their mistakes."

Among us desis this wrong information of "no need to wear seat belts on back sits" is so strong that it is totally impossible to wipe-off. Thanks for posting this as now people know that there is at least one person who has got a ticket.

The rule is - everyone in the car should wear seat bealts. If the kids under 12 (not sure about this age, but should be close) are not wearing the driver is responsible. And if people above that age are not wearing seat-bealts, they are responsible.

So this is what happening while I have to give ride to new people. As soon as they get-in, I will ask everyone to wear seat-belts. Now if they have heard from some one that they don't need to do so while seating in the back-seat, I have to tell them that this is wrong information and they have to wear it, but I am also telling them that if they don't wear it is not going to cause me anything. And I am making sure that the kids are wearing seat-belts. Interestingly kids coming from free country like India always resists for wearing seat belts. Not knowing much about this country, their parents also not like my forcing of wearing seat-belts for their kids. They don't like it at all, as they have not give G1 and not have their own car!


I think for your problem, you can dispute it by saying that you are new comer, have not given drivers written exam and so does not know the rules and so you made the mistake and they might waive it. Not expert on this, but if you have time this is worth trying, but if you are doing job, it is better to pay the fine and focus on what you are doing.

This is my personal comment, don't consider it for granted.

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A Proud Indian Canadian

make sure that the driver who was driving the car , may not get the ticket once you tell them that u did not know the rules. it is equal responsibility of the driver to make sure that everyone wears seat belt.

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Sunil Sharma, P.Eng.

Quote:

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Orginally posted by sunilosharma

make sure that the driver who was driving the car , may not get the ticket once you tell them that u did not know the rules. it is equal responsibility of the driver to make sure that everyone wears seat belt.

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A Proud Indian Canadian

Toronto is a crazy place - where new immigrants are treated like dirt. This is one more example. This would never happen in Alberta - authorities understand and are considerate about new comers.

it wasn't in toronto man, it happened in vancouver.

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Manny

"Experience is the name every one gives to their mistakes."

Thats funny..
Coz a lot of people in Van.who are from fraser st and Main st drive without seat belts..
When I go out with friends..(asians and whites) some of them who are driving don't even bother to wear seat belts.
It's kind of strange that this happenned to you..

~abhi

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~Life and Beyond