FAQs
Immediate Roadside Sanctions
If you have received and (IRS) or an Immediate Roadside Sanction under Section 88.1 of the Traffic Safety Act ‘FAIL’. You have 7 days to appeal. CALL US IMMEDIATELY.
The recipient has 7 days to respond to an Immediate Roadside Sanction. If the recipient fails to respond with that time frame. The recipient risks their right to appeal.
This is crucial as your appeal may allow you to recover your license. Associated with losing your license you will also have to pay cost. These costs include:
Contravention fine
- $1200
Towing fee
- $2200
Ignition Interlock Program
- $63 to apply
- $150 to have the Ignition Interlock device installed
- $1,260 to rent the Ignition Interlock device for 12 months
- $50 to have the Ignition Interlock device removed
In addition, you may have added cost by being required to:
- Complete one of the educational course as part of Alberta Impaired Drivers Program (AIDP), such as Crossroads, Planning Ahead or Impact
- Take a knowledge test or road test to have your drivers licence reinstated
- Increased insurance premiums All together you could be facing a $4923 cost, without considering your insurance premiums or extra costs for additional courses that may be required.
First occurrence
- Immediate 2-stage, fixed-term driver’s licence suspension consisting of 2 distinct parts:
- 90 days where you are unable to drive under any circumstances
- Further 12 month driver’s licence suspension:
- 1. During this 12 month suspension period, you may participate in Alberta’s IRS: FAIL Ignition Interlock Program and operate a vehicle equipped with an interlock device. If you choose not to participate in the Ignition Interlock Program, your licence will remain suspended, and you cannot legally drive.
- Complete the Planning Ahead course.
- 30-day vehicle seizure.
- $1,000 fine plus victim fine surcharge of 20%.
- If you receive criminal-level impaired charges and convicted, the court will also impose additional penalties.
Second occurrence
- Immediate 2-stage, fixed-term driver’s licence suspension consisting of 2 distinct parts:
- 90 days where you are unable to drive under any circumstances
- Further 36-month driver’s licence suspension:
- During this suspension period, you may participate in Alberta’s IRS: FAIL Ignition Interlock Program and operate a vehicle equipped with an interlock device. If you choose not to participate in the Ignition Interlock Program, your licence will remain suspended, and you cannot legally drive.
- Complete the IMPACT Program.
- 30-day vehicle seizure.
- $2,000 fine plus victim fine surcharge of 20%.
- If you receive criminal-level impaired charges and convicted, the court will also impose additional penalties.
Third occurrence
- Immediate 2-stage, fixed-term driver’s licence suspension consisting of 2 distinct parts:
- 90 days where you are unable to drive under any circumstances
- Further lifetime driver’s licence suspension:
- During this suspension period, you may participate in Alberta’s IRS: FAIL Ignition Interlock Program and operate a vehicle equipped with an interlock device. If you choose not to participate in the Ignition Interlock Program, your licence will remain suspended, and you cannot legally drive.
- Provided you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply for driver’s licence reinstatement and removal of the interlock requirement after 10 years. An application does not guarantee a removal of the lifetime suspension.
- 30-day vehicle seizure
- $2,000 fine plus victim fine surcharge of 20%
- If you receive criminal-level impaired charges and convicted, the court will also impose additional penalties.
No, At Ticket Help once we take on your file we thoroughly review it and provide a detailed case analysis on your chances of succeeding in the appeal process.
RED LIGHT TICKETS
You should always fight your ticket, even if you feel you were at fault. Fighting a ticket can save you money, demerits, and further insurance costs from rising. The chances of avoiding or lessening penalties are highly possible in most cases. Our legal team is dedicated to solely on fighting traffic violations.
If you do not fight your ticket, this means you are pleading guilty, and most courts will allow you to do this over the internet.
In most cases, if you hire Ticket Help, you will not need to go to court. If you are fighting your own ticket, you will almost always need to be there.
CELLPHONE TICKETS
You should always fight your ticket, even if you feel you were at fault. Fighting a ticket can save you money, demerits, and insurance costs from rising. The chances of avoiding or lessening penalties are highly possible in most cases.
If you do not fight your ticket, this means you are pleading guilty, and most courts will allow you to do this over the internet.
In most cases, if you hire Ticket Help, you will not need to go to court. If you are fighting your own ticket, you will almost always need to be there.
SPEEDING TICKETS
You should always fight your ticket. Speeding tickets are often thought of as simple matters. However, even if you feel you were at fault. Fighting a ticket can save you money, demerits, and further insurance costs from rising. The chances of avoiding or lessening penalties are highly possible in most cases.
If you do not fight your ticket, this means you are pleading guilty, and most courts will allow you to do this over the internet.
Receiving a speeding ticket in Alberta is not always straightforward. Speeding is a ‘strict liability offence’. This means that the prosecution only needs to prove that the driver was exceeding the speed limit. They do not need to prove the driver’s intention to speed or that the driver was aware of exceeding the limit.
Although this is regulatory in nature, at Ticket Help, we challenge the prosecution by
- Asking for calibration and maintenance records of any devices used in determining your speed.
- Operator training – The officer operating the speed-measuring devices must be properly trained. Lack of training or improper device use can be a valid defence.
- Incorrect information – If the ticket contains incorrect information, such as wrong dates, times, or location, it may be considered invalid.
- Ambiguous or confusing road signs – At Ticket Help, we have years of experience in Calgary. We understand that some roads are more tricky than others. We know which roads may be considered confusing to drivers.
- Emergency situations – If you were speeding due to an emergency, either in the vehicle or elsewhere.
- Flow of traffic – depending on the circumstances we can make arguments that you were merely ‘keeping up with the flow of traffic'. This defence is often overlooked and can sometimes work, especially if slowing down would have posed a risk to you or other drivers.
In most cases, if you hire Ticket Help, you will not need to go to court. If you are
fighting your own ticket, you will almost always need to be there.
Hiring Legal Representation
Yes, you should get representation, even if you are innocent. Knowing you are innocent does not mean you’re safe in court. The Justice system is incredibly complex, and an experienced legal team is a must in order to successfully navigate it. Your innocence is at risk if you are charged with an offence.
Can I represent myself?
Yes, in Canada, you can represent yourself. Even in complex situations like an Immediate Roadside Sanction.
Common Questions on Impaired Driving
If you’re facing accusations of driving under the influence or impaired driving, Ticket Help can help you. We understand how important these life-changing charges can be. Both carry a significant penalty. However, they’re different in distinct ways.
Impaired Driving
When you receive an administrative license suspension, also known as an Immediate Roadside Sanction, ‘IRS’. This results in your driver’s Alberta driver’s license being destroyed.
Firstly, you will receive a 90-day provincial driving suspension, this is followed by your license being suspended for 1 year. During this year, you can request to join the ignition interlock program, an interlock device fitted on your vehicle – ‘blow box.’ This is paid by you and allows you to drive under certain conditions. If this is your first offence, your vehicle will be seized for 30 days. Once these 30 days have passed, you can apply to get your vehicle back.
Can I Get My Vehicle Back Before These 30 Days?
Yes, it is possible to get your vehicle back before. However, it depends on various factors. At Ticket Help, we do free consultations to determine whether this is possible in your case.
Immediate Roadside Sanction on Your Record?
No, in Alberta, an Immediate Roadside Sanction is not a criminal offence. It is an administrative penalty issued under the Provincial Administrative Penalties Act (PAPA) and related to regulations handled by SafeRoads Alberta.
This means:
* No criminal record
* Consequences are regulatory – license suspension, vehicle seizure, fines, and mandatory courses.
* The police can lay separate criminal charges.
What If I Don’t Fight?
It is extremely important to know you have 7 days to appeal your suspension. Once this time has passed, you will be subject to appeal under ‘prescribed exceptional circumstances.’
Costs
Not fighting can lead to higher cost in the long run.
1. Contravention fine
* $1200
2. Towing fee
* $2200
3. Ignition Interlock Program
* $63 to apply
* $150 to have the Ignition Interlock device installed
* $1,260 to rent the Ignition Interlock device for 12 months
* $50 to have the Ignition Interlock device removed
In addition, you may have added cost by being required to:
* Complete one of the educational courses as part of Alberta Impaired Drivers Program (AIDP), such as Crossroads, Planning Ahead, or Impact
* Take a knowledge test or road test to have your driver’s license reinstated
* Increased insurance premiums
Altogether, you could be facing a $4923 cost, without considering your insurance premiums or extra costs for additional courses that may be required.
Where can I get an Ignition Interlock Device?
Smart Start Canada provides and installs Ignition Interlock devices in Alberta.
If you have been mandated to have an Ignition Interlock device installed, the Frequently Asked Questions section on Smart Start Canada’s website will provide all the information you need on Ignition Interlock devices.
Fighting Your Penalty
if you win your appeal is successful you will be exempt from the following.
* No contravention fine
* No Ignition Interlock Program
* Do not have to complete any additional courses
* Not have your insurance premiums skyrocket
* The towing fee will be returned to you
Understanding DUI Charges in Alberta
In Canada, DUIs are governed by the Criminal Code of Canada. Convictions for driving impaired can lead to significant penalties, including fines, license suspensions, mandatory alcohol education programs, and even imprisonment. DUIs affect your criminal record.
DUI on Your Criminal Record
When you are charged with a DUI in Canada, it becomes a part of your criminal record. This record is maintained by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and can be accessed by law enforcement agencies, employers, and other authorized individuals.