Driving in North America often feels like freedom, but that freedom comes with rules—some of which are enforced more harshly than many drivers realize. Both the US and Canada have traffic laws designed to keep roads safe and discourage reckless behavior, but a handful stand out for their severity. These rules carry stiff fines, license suspensions, and in some cases criminal charges that can follow you for years. Expanded here with more context, penalties, and real world examples, these are eight of the strictest traffic laws you’ll encounter in the US and Canada.
Distracted Driving Bans
Few laws have tightened as quickly as those targeting distracted driving. In Canada, penalties are particularly steep. Ontario fines first time offenders up to $1,000 along with three demerit points, and repeat violations can lead to automatic license suspensions. British Columbia pushes it even further, with fines starting at $368 and escalating insurance premiums that cost offenders thousands of dollars. In the US, states like New York, California, and Illinois treat phone use while driving as a primary offense, meaning police can pull you over solely for having a phone in your hand. A New Jersey driver, for example, was fined $200 and hit with points simply for briefly glancing at his phone at a red light.
Strict DUI and Impaired Driving Laws
Both countries have drawn a hard line on impaired driving. In the US, the national legal limit is 0.08% BAC, but Utah enforces a stricter 0.05% limit—the lowest in the country. In Canada, the 2018 changes to impaired driving laws allow police to demand a breath test from any driver, even without reasonable suspicion. First time offenders in Canada can face fines of $1,000, mandatory driving bans, and even criminal records. In many US states, repeat offenders are forced to install ignition interlock devices that require a breath test before the car starts. A driver in Alberta was famously charged after police showed up at his home hours after a traffic stop and demanded a breath sample—something now permitted by law.
Excessive Speeding Penalties
Speeding may seem like a minor infraction, but in some jurisdictions it’s treated as criminal behavior. Ontario has “stunt driving” laws that apply if you’re caught going 40 km/h or more over the limit on roads under 80 km/h, or 50 km/h over on any other road. The punishment is immediate: a 14 day vehicle impoundment and 30 day license suspension, plus fines up to $10,000. In the US, Virginia is notorious for treating speeds over 85 mph as reckless driving, a criminal offense carrying up to a year in jail. Drivers have found themselves with permanent criminal records for doing 20 mph over the limit on the interstate.
Move Over Laws
Move Over laws are designed to protect roadside workers, yet many drivers underestimate their importance. In the US, every state has some version of this law, requiring drivers to either slow down significantly or move over a lane when approaching emergency vehicles. Fines can range from $100 to more than $500, but in states like Florida, repeat offenders can lose their license. In Canada, provinces like Alberta and Ontario enforce similar laws, with fines reaching $2,000 for failing to move over. Tow truck operators in both countries have pushed for even stricter penalties after numerous roadside deaths caused by inattentive drivers.
Zero Tolerance for Street Racing
Street racing may look glamorous in movies, but the reality is harsh penalties across North America. In Canada, being caught racing can mean an automatic roadside impound, license suspension, and criminal charges. Ontario treats racing as “stunt driving,” with insurance consequences that can double or triple premiums for years. In the US, states like California, Texas, and Florida treat street racing as a serious misdemeanor or felony. Cars are often impounded on the spot, and repeat offenders can lose their licenses permanently. In California, police run stings that have led to dozens of arrests in a single night, showing how aggressively the law is enforced.
Seat Belt Enforcement
Seat belt laws are enforced nationwide in both the US and Canada, but the strictness depends on whether a state allows “primary enforcement.” In states like New York and California, officers can stop a vehicle simply for a seat belt violation, with fines starting at $100 and climbing higher for passengers under 16. In Canada, failure to buckle up results in fines of $200 to $300 and demerit points, depending on the province. What surprises many is that passengers are also fined individually, and in some jurisdictions, drivers can be held responsible if passengers under 16 are unbelted.
Red Light and Stop Sign Cameras
Automated enforcement through cameras has become one of the strictest and most controversial tools in traffic law. In Canada, red light cameras are common in major provinces, and failing to stop generates fines around $325 in Ontario, even if you were just caught on film. In the US, Chicago alone issues hundreds of thousands of red light tickets annually, adding up to millions in revenue. What makes these laws so strict is that there’s no talking your way out of it—if the camera catches you, the fine is automatic, and unpaid tickets can block license renewal. Drivers who ignore multiple camera tickets have even found their vehicles impounded.
Strict Child Car Seat Laws
Child safety laws are non negotiable in both countries. In Canada, each province mandates strict rules based on a child’s age, height, and weight, with fines ranging from $200 to over $500 for violations. Police regularly run roadside checks to ensure compliance, especially around schools. In the US, each state sets its own rules, but violations often come with points on your license and steep fines. In Tennessee, for example, failing to use a proper seat can lead to fines and mandatory safety classes. Beyond penalties, courts take child seat violations seriously in accident cases, sometimes considering it negligence if a child was improperly restrained.
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