What Does the Law Say About Using a Car to Tow a Bicyclist?
Towing a Person On a Bicycle or Other Similar Object Is Dangerous and Unlawful. Doing so May Result In a $1,000 Fine Plus Victim Surcharge and Court Cost As Well As Two Demerit Points and Also Insurance Consequences.
Understanding the Penalties For Towing a Person On a Bicycle, Skateboard, Among Other Things
Using a motor vehicle to tow a person riding a bicycle, skateboard, roller skates, or other similar things, poses dangerous risks to the person being towed, and perhaps others; and accordingly, doing so is unlawful and upon committing such an offence may result in significant fines.
Note: Please contact Stephen Parker Legal Services by phone at: (416) 571-2723 to discuss any specific questions that you may have.
The Law
The law that forbids a driver from towing a person on a bicycle, skateboard, roller skates, or other things, is prescribed by section 160 of the Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8. For those found guilty of violating section 160, the details for the penalty upon conviction are prescribed by section 214(1) of the Highway Traffic Act whereas section 160 is actually silent, meaning absent, about the penalty details. Within section 160 and section 214(1) of the Highway Traffic Act it is specifically stated:
Towing of persons on bicycles, toboggans, etc., prohibited
160 No driver of a vehicle or street car shall permit any person riding, riding on or operating a bicycle, coaster, toboggan, sled, skateboard, toy vehicle or any other type of conveyance or wearing roller skates, in-line skates or skis to attach the same, himself or herself to the vehicle or street car on a highway.
General penalty
214 (1) Every person who contravenes this Act or any regulation is guilty of an offence and on conviction, where a penalty for the contravention is not otherwise provided for herein, is liable to a fine of not less than $60 and not more than $1,000.
Accordingly, per the general penalty stated within section 214(1) as is shown above, the fine for towing a person on a bicycle, skateboard, roller skates, among other things, is in a range from sixty ($60) dollars to one thousand ($1,000) dollars. Additional penalties will include the statutory victim surcharge plus court cost. Furthermore, a conviction may also have serious consequences to insurance rates.
Summary Comment
Towing a person riding a bicycle, skateboard, or upon roller skates, among other things, poses a risk of serious injury or death to the person if an accident occurs; and accordingly, doing so is unlawful and subject to a potential fine of one thousand ($1,000) dollars plus victim surcharge, court cost, and insurance rate consequences.
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