Traffic tickets issued under Alberta’s Traffic Safety Act do not result in criminal records but they can lead to:

  • Demerit points and fines.
  • Licence suspensions.
  • Big insurance premium hikes.
  • Possible jail time (in extreme cases).

Why you have to work quickly

With traffic tickets, you only have 30 days from the day you receive the ticket to dispute it.

Our firm is known for defending criminal cases, such as DUI, criminal driving, and immediate roadside sanctions, but we can also help you protect your licence and your driving record.

The penalties are very different but the legal skills honed from over two decades of practice defending over 10,000 cases can still work in your interests. Our record is supported by:

  • Over 700 5-star Google reviews.
  • Three Best Rated® distinction for 8 consecutive years.
  • Consumer Choice Award (2025,2026).

What to do next if you get a traffic ticket in Calgary

  1. STOP: Do not simply pay the fine (this is a guilty plea).
  2. CALL: Call Strategic Criminal Defence (403-719-6410) to begin working on your appeal.
  3. ACT: We have 30 days from the date of receipt to initiate a dispute via the digital portal.

Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.

What are traffic tickets, and how do you dispute them?

Your traffic ticket will usually specify a voluntary payment option and a deadline. You have three choices:

  1. Pay the fine by the deadline, which is treated as a guilty plea.
  2. Request a hearing (dispute the ticket) before the deadline, which schedules a court date before a justice of the peace in Provincial Court.
  3. Do nothing, which results in a default conviction and the fine being enforced.

Serious traffic offences, such as excessive speeding (50 km/h or more over the limit), stunting, careless driving, and racing, may require a mandatory court appearance.

We will help you dispute your traffic violation, whichever track of Alberta’s dual-track traffic enforcement system it falls under:

1. Standard traffic tickets

Standard traffic tickets are handled by the Alberta Court of Justice. This includes most moving violations, such as:

  • Speeding.
  • Distracted driving.
  • Careless driving.
  • Failing to stop.
  • Stunt driving.

Tickets are issued as provincial offences, with fines and demerit points under the Traffic Safety Act.

We will contest the ticket within 30 days from the date it was issued by filing a notice of dispute with the Alberta Court of Justice.

The specific deadline will be printed on your ticket. Missing the deadline results in a default conviction, though in limited circumstances, we can file a late dispute if you were unaware of the conviction and can demonstrate a reasonable excuse.

2. Administrative penalties (SafeRoads Alberta)

Under the Provincial Administrative Penalties Act (PAPA), impaired driving offences have been diverted entirely away from the court system.

These administrative penalties are managed online by SafeRoads Alberta. A Notice of Administrative Penalty is issued and disputes are handled via an administrative review board (you only have 7 days to request a review).

For more information on appealing these penalties, refer to our immediate roadside sanctions or Notice of Administrative Penalty dispute pages.

What can happen if you get a traffic ticket in Calgary?

Following is a breakdown of the main penalties for traffic ticket offences in Calgary, which we will try to prevent by contesting the ticket:

OFFENCE DEMERIT POINTS FINE * LONG-TERM IMPACT

Speeding (1–15 km/h over)

(TSA s. 115(2)(p))

 2 $144 (10 km/h benchmark) Insurance: Minor increase at renewal.

Speeding (16–30 km/h over)

(TSA s. 115(2)(p))

 3 $200–$300 Insurance: Moderate increase; may lose Good Driver rate cap.

Speeding (31–50 km/h over)

(TSA s. 115(2)(p))

 4 $400–$600

Insurance: Significant increase; loss of Good Driver rate cap.

Licence: Possible short suspension.

Speeding (51+ km/h over)

(TSA s. 115(2)(p))

 6 $744+

Insurance: Severe increase; high-risk classification possible.

Licence: Immediate 7-day roadside suspension; vehicle seizure.

Careless Driving

(TSA s. 115(2)(b))

 6 $852

Insurance: Severe increase; possible high-risk classification.

Licence: Possible suspension.

Racing

(TSA s. 115(2)(c))

 6 $852

Insurance: Severe increase; high-risk classification likely.

Licence: Immediate roadside suspension; vehicle seizure.

Stunting

(TSA s. 115(2)(e) and/or (f))

 6 $852

Insurance: Severe increase; high-risk classification likely.

Licence: Possible suspension; vehicle seizure in serious cases.

Distracted Driving (phone/device use)

(TSA ss. 115.1–115.4)

 3 $390+ Insurance: Moderate-to-significant increase.

Failing to Stop at Red Light / Stop Sign

(TSA s.109)

 3 $388 Insurance: Moderate increase.

Failing to Yield

(TSA s. 100)

 2 $233 Insurance: Minor-to-moderate increase.

Following Too Closely (Tailgating)

(TSA s. 115(2))

 2 $233 Insurance: Minor increase.

Improper Lane Change

(TSA s. 115(2))

 2 $233 Insurance: Minor increase.

Failing to Wear Seatbelt

(s. 90 of the Use of Highway and Rules of Road Regulation (Alta Reg 304/2002))

 0 $211

Driving Without Insurance

(TSA s. 54(1)(a))

 0 $2,875 minimum, up to $10,000

Insurance: Coverage may be cancelled entirely.

Licence: Possible suspension.

Possible jail time if you fail to pay the fine.

Driving While Unauthorized (s. 94.1)

(TSA s. 94(2))

 0 $2,000+

May be uninsurable.

Licence: Extended suspension; possible vehicle seizure.

Possible jail time if you fail to pay the fine.

Accumulated Demerits (15+)

(Alta Reg 331/2002)

 — —

Insurance: Significant increase.

Licence: Mandatory suspension (1 month at 15 points, escalating).

*The fine amounts reflect current Alberta fines as of May 2026. Fines may change and vary with surcharges.

The insurance impacts are indicative only and vary by insurer, driving history, and whether the conviction falls within the ‘Good Driver’ rate cap eligibility period (currently, a conviction within the past three years disqualifies).

Some traffic offences can be escalated to Criminal Code charges by police (at which point the consequences are significantly more severe), including:

  • Racing.
  • Careless driving.
  • Driving while suspended.

If you’re facing a criminal driving charge, immediate legal assistance from a Strategic Criminal Defence can help protect your future.

How will we appeal your traffic ticket?

If you get pulled over for a provincial traffic ticket, a Calgary Police Service officer has likely used tools like a radar gun or you have been observed driving in a way that captures the officer’s attention:

  • You will typically be stopped, asked to produce your driver’s licence, registration, and insurance, and immediately given a ticket.
  • This simple investigation usually takes 10 to 15 minutes and ends with you getting a ticket.

The consequences for you do not end with the ticket, however. That’s why we recommend appealing most traffic tickets.

Police officers often make mistakes when writing traffic tickets, and that’s just one possible defence of many.

How can we protect your rights and driving privileges?

There are two main ways to resolve traffic ticket cases:

  1. If the case against you is weak, we can talk to the prosecutors about lowering your fines or charges.
  2. We can go to traffic court on your behalf to fight the case.

To challenge the Crown’s evidence at traffic court, we request a trial via the Justice Digital portal or by appearing at the Calgary Courts Centre.

The defence we present will depend on the ticket you receive and the specific circumstances, which we will discuss with you at your free case evaluation.

Some common defences we typically employ in traffic ticket cases are:

DEFENCE TYPE LEGAL BASIS & MECHANISM COMMON APPLICATION / EXAMPLE TARGET OFFENCE TYPES
Due Diligence You took all reasonable care to avoid committing the offence (the same as a reasonable person would do under identical circumstances). Your speedometer fails due to a sudden, unpredictable mechanical or electrical short circuit, despite regular vehicle maintenance. Strict Liability Only
Mistake of Fact You acted under an honest, reasonable, and mistaken belief in a set of facts which, if true, would have made your actions lawful. You enter a school zone where the municipal sign has been completely obscured by a recent heavy blizzard, making it invisible. Strict Liability Only
Necessity (Emergency) You were forced to break the law to avoid an immediate, imminent peril or danger of severe bodily harm/death where no reasonable alternative existed. Accelerating past the speed limit for a brief moment to escape a jackknifing semi-truck or an out-of-control vehicle sliding into your lane. Strict & Absolute Liability
Inaccurate / Malfunctioning Equipment Challenging the reliability of the evidence due to faulty or miscalibrated law enforcement tools (e.g., radar or laser). Cross-examining the officer on their Certificate of Calibration or proving the radar device lacked its mandatory pre- and post-shift testing. Strict & Absolute Liability
Charter Violations (Section 11b - Unreasonable Delay) If the time between receiving your ticket and your scheduled trial date exceeds a reasonable window, the charge is stayed. The timeline from the roadside ticket to the actual trial date exceeds 18 months without defence-caused delays (after R. v. Jordan, 2016 SCC 27). All Offences
Fatal Flaws (Procedural Error) Exploiting fundamental clerical errors on the face of the Certificate of Offence that render the ticket legally invalid. The issuing officer writes down the wrong statute section entirely, fails to sign the ticket, or records an impossible date/jurisdiction. Strict & Absolute Liability
Identity / Lack of Proof The Crown fails to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that you were the individual operating the vehicle at the time of the infraction. An officer issues a ticket to the registered owner for a moving violation, but fails to properly identify who was behind the wheel during the stop. Strict & Absolute Liability

What must we prove to win your traffic ticket case?

In strict liability offences (like most speeding, careless driving, or distracted driving tickets), we can beat the charge by proving you took all reasonable steps to avoid the violation. 

In absolute liability offences (such as failing to yield or failing to stop at a red light), the Crown only needs to prove the act happened. Our defence will be restricted primarily to procedural errors or identity.

Even though traffic tickets are provincial offences rather than criminal charges, the Crown must still prove the offence beyond a reasonable doubt, the same standard that applies in criminal proceedings.

NOTE: For impaired driving and other criminal driving offences, where the stakes are extremely high, we will often go to greater lengths to prove your innocence, such as employing expert witnesses to challenge the Crown Prosecutor’s claims. Find out more here.

Successful traffic ticket cases

Note: Past outcomes do not guarantee future results. Every case depends on its own facts. Fines detailed in the case studies may be out of date (check the table above for current fines).

Case Number: 25280119

Our client received a violation ticket under the Traffic Safety Act for excessive speed. It is alleged that he was traveling at 154 km/h in an 80 km/h zone.

Upon being retained, we reviewed our client’s disclosure and found multiple violations of his Charter rights. When we drew the Crown’s attention to the violations and advised them that we would be filing a Charter notice, they withdrew the charge against our client.

Successful Result: Charge Withdrawn

Case Number: 25280046

Our client received a violation ticket under the Traffic Safety Act for driving while engaged in an activity likely to startle other users (“stunting”) after the police received a complaint of an offensive sign on the tailgate of his vehicle.

Upon being retained, we ordered and reviewed our client’s disclosure. We began negotiating with the prosecutor. We advised them that we would be filing a Charter Notice alleging a violation of our client’s Charter-protected right to freedom of expression. We ultimately convinced the prosecutor to withdraw the charge against our client.

Successful Result: Charge Withdrawn

Case Number: 75790028 

Our client was driving home from a hike with his dog in the vehicle. At one point, the dog attempted to jump into the front seat. While our client was struggling with the dog, he momentarily lost control of his vehicle and crossed into another lane, where he struck a semi-truck. A police officer on the scene took a breath sample from our client, which showed that he was below the legal limit for alcohol consumption. The officer confiscated his phone to investigate whether distracted driving was a factor in the accident. Our client went to the hospital for an examination and was contacted by the police afterwards to come to the station, where he was charged with careless driving. He also had an outstanding speeding ticket.  

Upon being retained, we immediately requested disclosure and began resolution discussions with the Crown Prosecutor. We pointed out that a momentary distraction does not constitute careless driving. Based on this, the Crown withdrew the outstanding speeding ticket and the careless driving charge in exchange for a guilty plea to “allowing an animal to distract the driver”. Our client paid a small fine and received no demerit points as a result of our negotiations.   

Successful Result: Tickets Withdrawn; No Demerits

Case Number: 77780032 

Our client was a photographer who frequently worked outside of Calgary. While he was driving to the mountains for a photo shoot, he was pulled over for speeding through a construction site. Our client pointed out that he did not notice the construction site, as there was no one working on it, and he later noticed that the sign indicating construction was reversed. If convicted, our client was facing a 30-day driving suspension, which would negatively impact his ability to run his business, and a $750.00 fine.  

Upon being retained, we prepared our strategy, which prioritized limiting our client’s driving suspension. We recommended that he enroll in a defensive driving course while we prepared submissions to the Crown Prosecutors in his defence. The case proceeded to trial, and there, we were able to successfully reduce his suspension to two weeks and negotiate a reduced fine.  

Successful Result: Reduced Suspension; Reduced Fine

Case Number: 25790299 

Our client was driving home with a friend when he accidentally slid into the back of another vehicle. He panicked due to his lengthy traffic record and his friend encouraged him to drive off. The police investigation led them to our client several weeks later, at which point our client was charged with Hit and Run and Failure to Provide Information. If convicted, our client was facing several thousand dollars in fines or a jail term.  

Upon being retained, we sat down with our client to discuss his options and determine the best defence strategy for him. We successfully negotiated with the Crown Prosecutor for the withdrawal of one charge in exchange for a guilty plea to the other. As a result, our client did not receive any demerit points; he paid a fine of $550.00 and was able to keep his licence.  

Successful Result: Reduced fine; No Demerits

Case Number: 25290302 

Our client was arrested after he was pulled over on the highway for having a loose tarp on his truck bed. During the stop, the police officer discovered that the vehicle was not insured and had it towed. Our client was facing a minimum fine of $2,785.00, up to a maximum of $10,000.00 for the charge. Failure to pay would result in 45 days to 6 months in jail.  

Upon being retained, we ordered and reviewed the disclosure, including footage from the officer’s vehicle. We identified several issues with the investigation and brought them to the Crown Prosecutor. Based on these discussions, the Crown agreed to quickly resolve the matter and decrease the fine. We successfully argued to have the ticket fine reduced to that of a Failure to Produce Insurance charge, which is $750.00. As a result of our negotiations, we saved our client a minimum of $2,035.00 in fines.  

Successful Result: Ticket and Fine Reduced

Case Number: 25280067

Our client received a violation ticket under the Traffic Safety Act for excessive speed. It was alleged that he was traveling at 118 km/h in a 70 km/h zone. Our client’s main priority was to avoid demerit points.

Upon being retained, we immediately ordered and reviewed all disclosure. We identified weaknesses in the case against our client. We subsequently began negotiating with the Crown Prosecutor and, using our strong advocacy skills, we were able to convince the Crown to resolve the matter with the lesser charge of failing to obey the rules of the road. As a result, our client only received a fine and was able to avoid demerit points.

Successful Result: Fine, No Demerit Points

Case Number: 25290232

Our client received a violation ticket under the Traffic Safety Act for failing to remain at the scene of an accident. Our client collided with the back of another motorist’s vehicle at an icy intersection. After both parties exited their vehicles and took pictures, the other driver alleged that our client drove away without providing sufficient documentation.

Upon being retained, we ordered and reviewed our client’s disclosure. After negotiating with the Crown Prosecutor, we convinced the Crown to resolve the matter by imposing a fine and no demerit points.

Successful Result: Fine, No Demerit Points

Case Number: 252180214

Our client received a violation ticket under the Traffic Safety Act after he was pulled over for speeding excessively. The police radar clocked him at 171km/hour in a 110km zone.

Due to our client’s employment, it was imperative for him to avoid a licence suspension. Upon being retained, we reviewed our client’s disclosure and began negotiating with the Crown Prosecutor. The Crown eventually agreed to resolve the matter by way of a fine and our client’s licence was not suspended.

Successful Result: Fine, No Suspension

Case Number: 25280093

Our client received violation tickets under the Traffic Safety Act for driving while unauthorized and failing to provide registration. A month later, he received more violation tickets for driving while unauthorized and failing to surrender a suspended motor vehicle document to the registrar.

Upon being retained, we immediately reviewed all disclosure. Our client’s main priority was to avoid jail time. The Crown Prosecutor initially indicated that they would be seeking a fine and 14 days in jail. After negotiating with the Crown Prosecutor, we convinced them to reduce the initial sentence and tender a resolution offer of a fine. As a result, our client avoided going to jail.

Successful Result: Fine, No Jail Time

Case Number: 22280206

Our client received a violation ticket under the Traffic Safety Act for driving while unauthorized. Due to his driving record, our client was facing a jail sentence.

Upon being retained, we ordered and reviewed our client’s disclosure. His priority was to avoid jail. We negotiated with the Crown Prosecutor and were successful in convincing them to resolve the matter with a fine. As a result, our client avoided any jail time.

Successful Result: Fine, No Jail Time

Testimonials

Dedicated traffic ticket lawyers at Strategic Criminal Defence

The team of lawyers at Strategic Criminal Defence in Calgary all provide traffic ticket defence services. View our dedicated lawyer page to learn more about our lawyers and their focus areas.

FAQs

You won’t usually lose your licence right away for minor provincial offences like running a stop sign or speeding, but you will get points on your record.

Most drivers in Alberta can get up to 15 demerit points in two years before they lose their licence. The first time you get 15 points, your licence will be automatically suspended for a month. If you get 8 to 14 points, Alberta Transportation will send you a letter about your points. 

New drivers in the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program have a lower limit (8 demerit points) before they lose their licence.

Traffic violations will stay on your driving record for different periods, depending on the type of violation and the record. Your driving history depends on three main records: 

  1. Your demerit point record.
  2. Your driver’s abstract (the official record from Alberta Transportation).
  3. Your insurance history. 

The points you get for traffic violations stay on your driving record and your driver’s abstract for exactly two years from the date of conviction.

Unlike with criminal driving, there is little risk of jail for provincial traffic violations, even if you don’t pay your fines or show up in court as required. There is no arrest, charge, or release on bail. You just get a ticket. Although it is extremely rare, infractions at the more serious end of Traffic Safety Act offences can result in limited jail time.

No, traffic convictions do not produce a criminal record but do appear on driving abstracts, which insurers and some employers access.

If your traffic ticket lawyer can challenge the traffic ticket effectively, you can prevent heavy fines, a licence suspension, and the ‘hidden’ costs of increased insurance surcharges, making it cost-effective. This is especially so if the demerit points from a ticket would take you above 15 points in two years.

If you receive a traffic ticket in Calgary, a lawyer from Strategic Criminal Defence will:

  • Review the details and unique circumstances of your case to identify the strongest relevant arguments to challenge the ticket. 
  • Gather key evidence, such as police reports, radar calibration certificates, dash cam footage, officer body cam footage, witness statements, and road/signage condition evidence, to support your defence argument.
  • Guide you through the complexities of the appeal process, explaining timelines, legal options, various scenarios, and associated consequences. 

The Strategic Criminal Defence lawyers know how to navigate the complexities of the Calgary traffic court, as well as criminal court, and we will use our experience to work in your best interests.

Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.

michael-oykhman-thumb

Verified By: Michael Oykhman, Senior Criminal Defence Lawyer

Last Modified: June 2, 2026

Michael Oykhman is a senior criminal defence lawyer and the founder of Strategic Criminal Defence, a leading firm with offices across Western Canada and Ontario. With nearly 20 years of legal experience, he has appeared at all levels of court in Alberta, including the Supreme Court of Canada, and has successfully defended thousands of clients.

Experience

  • Proven Results: Successfully managed over 10,000 criminal cases, experience in complex matters such as impaired driving, domestic violence, and sexual assault.
  • Strategic Problem Solver: Trained as a trial lawyer but recognized for his experience in alternative resolution strategies, often securing the best outcomes for clients without a case ever going to trial.
  • Multi-Jurisdictional Authority: Licensed to practice law in Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan.

Education & Academic Leadership

  • Education: Holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Calgary.
  • Academic Distinctions: Recipient of the Crown Association Prize (top grade in criminal law) and was the first-ever finalist for the University of Calgary at the Gale Cup Moot.
  • Teaching & Mentorship: Currently serves as the Advising Lawyer for Student Legal Assistance and is a sessional instructor at the University of Calgary Faculty of Law, teaching Advanced Criminal/Constitutional Appellate Advocacy.

Credentials & Recognition

  • Top-Rated Advocacy: An 8-time recipient of the Three Best Rated® Top Criminal Defence Lawyer of the Year award in Calgary.
  • Professional Memberships: Active member of the Criminal Trial Lawyers Association (CTLA) and the Criminal Defence Lawyers Association (CDLA) of Calgary.
  • Connect with Michael: Bio | LinkedIn | Firm Office: (403) 719-6410