How To File A Traffic Violation Report

Instructions for filling out a Traffic Violation Report

If you have witnessed an incident in which a driver has acted dangerously toward you or someone else, you can file a report with the police, even if you have no witnesses. The police will contact the driver and either caution or prosecute him/her. It is unlikely that the police will prosecute if there are no witnesses, but it has been known to happen (for example, in a case where the driver admits to the offense.)

The instructions below are adapted from an information sheet provided by Vince Langdon PC 6951, 14 CRU, Ph: 416 808-1500

The Traffic Violation Report form allows you to decide between two options:

1. Prosecute the offender
2. Caution the offender.

Filling out the form When filling out the form, use "GREAT DETAIL" in describing the driver/vehicle and the events.

1. Driver: Include skin colour, race (if possible), age, height, weight, facial hair, speech, clothing, jewelry, acne, tattoos, scars, abrasions, etc.
2. Vehicle: Include licence number, make, model, colour, damage, stickers, decals, trailer hitch, roof rack, hood ornament, hub caps, loud music playing, cellular phone, etc.
3. Scene: Exact location, weather, surface conditions of the road, direction of travel, condition of traffic (of vehicles and/or pedestrians), location of the sun, etc.

Other things to remember to include in the statement portion:

• Was it apparent that the vehicle driver saw you?
• If there was an impact (if contact did occur between cyclist/motorist), where was it?
• Were you operating a safe vehicle? (eg bells, lights, reflective tape, etc.)

Submitting the form After the form is filled out, take it to a "TRAFFIC UNIT" (ie Central Traffic Unit on Strachan Avenue.) The regular police stations usually won't have a clue what to do with these forms.

Download a copy of the Traffic Violation Report form in PDF format