Fines for unsafe driving go up

The Government of Yukon updated the Motor Vehicles Regulations and the Summary Convictions Regulations today by increasing fines for distracted driving and speeding offences. The fines were increased to the maximum currently permitted under the Motor Vehicles Act as a deterrence to reduce unsafe driving in the territory.

Amendments include increasing the fines for distracted driving to $500 from $250. The Yukon Legislative Assembly unanimously supported a motion in the spring of 2017 calling for increased fines for distracted driving.

The amendments come into effect as of May 15, 2018.

We are acting to deter unsafe driving by increasing fines for distracted driving and speeding. Updating the Motor Vehicles Act will be a long and complex project and these immediate changes shouldn’t wait. These amendments will help keep Yukoners and visitors safe.

Minister of Highways and Public Works Richard Mostyn

Quick facts 
  • Approximately 1000 speeding tickets are issued in the Yukon each year.

  • The territory’s current fatal crash rate is two times the national average.

Backgrounder 

Summary of changes to the Motor Vehicles Act (MVA):

Traffic violation Previous penalty New penalty
Distracted driving - Use of an electronic device while driving [s.210.1(2) MVA] $250 and 3 demerit points $500 and 3 demerit points
Exceed general maximum speed (s.138 MVA) No fines. No demerit points

Not more than 15 km/h $50 and 2 demerit points

More than 15 km/h but not more than 30 km/h $150 and 4 demerit points

More than 30 km/h but not more than 50 km/h $200 and 6 demerit points

Exceed speed limit (s.139 MVA)

Not more than 15 km/h $25 and 2 demerit points

More than 15 km/h but less than 30 km/h $40 and 3 demerit points

More than 30 km/h but less than 50 km/h $75 and 4 demerit points

More than 50 km/h $150 and 6 demerit points

Not more than 15 km/h $50 and 2 demerit points

More than 15 km/h but not more than 30 km/h $100 and 3 demerit points

More than 30 km/h but not more than 50 km/h $150 and 4 demerit points

More than 50 km/h $200 and 6 demerit points

Media contact 

Sunny Patch
Cabinet Communications
867-393-7478
sunny.patch@gov.yk.ca

Brittanee Stewart
Communications, Highways and Public Works       
867-667-3692
brittanee.stewart@gov.yk.ca

News release #: 
18-106