Lawyer Jordan Charness gets asked a lot of questions by readers of this column, but a recent reader’s e-mail seemed more like a traffic quiz than a query about legal issues.
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Reader’s quiz
Lawyer Jordan Charness gets asked a lot of questions by readers of this column, but a recent reader’s e-mail seemed more like a traffic quiz than a query about legal issues.
Lawyer Jordan Charness gets asked a lot of questions by readers of this column, but a recent reader’s e-mail seemed more like a traffic quiz than a query about legal issues.
The truth about numbers, Part two
Regulations and penalties for driving while intoxicated are not consistent across the country, says lawyer Jordan W. Charness. They vary from province to province and administration of them involves two levels of government and the court system, he says.
Regulations and penalties for driving while intoxicated are not consistent across the country, says lawyer Jordan W. Charness. They vary from province to province and administration of them involves two levels of government and the court system, he says.
The truth about the numbers, Part one
While driving, the federal blood alcohol limit is .08 but some provinces have a .05 limit, says lawyer Jordan Charness. The former is a criminal offence and the latter is not, but you can still lose your licence, he says.
While driving, the federal blood alcohol limit is .08 but some provinces have a .05 limit, says lawyer Jordan Charness. The former is a criminal offence and the latter is not, but you can still lose your licence, he says.
Hot coffee
The famous case of an American woman who spilled hot McDonald’s coffee on herself, sued McDonalds, and won US$480,000 in punitive damages would probably have had a different outcome if it had happened in Canada, says lawyer Jordan W. Charness.
The famous case of an American woman who spilled hot McDonald’s coffee on herself, sued McDonalds, and won US$480,000 in punitive damages would probably have had a different outcome if it had happened in Canada, says lawyer Jordan W. Charness.
Electric scooters
Three-wheeled electric scooters – the kind often used by senior citizens – cannot be driven legally on the street, and have the potential to injure pedestrians and their owners, warns lawyer Jordan Charness.
Three-wheeled electric scooters – the kind often used by senior citizens – cannot be driven legally on the street, and have the potential to injure pedestrians and their owners, warns lawyer Jordan Charness.
Rental car run-ins
While on holidays, Peter rear-ended another car with his rental car, but the other car took off before Peter could exchange license and insurance information. What should Peter have done? Lawyer Jordan Charness advises.
While on holidays, Peter rear-ended another car with his rental car, but the other car took off before Peter could exchange license and insurance information. What should Peter have done? Lawyer Jordan Charness advises.
Young offenders
Car thieves under 18 may be tried in Youth Court where the penalties are less severe than those prescribed by the criminal code, explains lawyer Jordan Charness. Youths who show remorse and rehabilitation can avoid a juvenile record, he says.
Car thieves under 18 may be tried in Youth Court where the penalties are less severe than those prescribed by the criminal code, explains lawyer Jordan Charness. Youths who show remorse and rehabilitation can avoid a juvenile record, he says.
Mail call, 2009
“What is the difference between a solid line and a double line?” “Is it legal to speed in a private parking lot?” “Can I stop in a taxi zone?” Lawyer Jordan W. Charness answers reader’s queries.
“What is the difference between a solid line and a double line?” “Is it legal to speed in a private parking lot?” “Can I stop in a taxi zone?” Lawyer Jordan W. Charness answers reader’s queries.
Lease return inspection
The fees charged by leasing companies for repairing excess wear and tear at the end of a vehicle lease can be expensive, but a new lease return inspection service may help consumers minimize that cost, says lawyer, Jordan Charness.
The fees charged by leasing companies for repairing excess wear and tear at the end of a vehicle lease can be expensive, but a new lease return inspection service may help consumers minimize that cost, says lawyer, Jordan Charness.
Back to school 2009, Part two
Parent drivers who carpool and pick up children for the drive to school often find themselves running late, but they should resist the urge to speed to make it to school on time, warns lawyer, Jordan Charness.
Parent drivers who carpool and pick up children for the drive to school often find themselves running late, but they should resist the urge to speed to make it to school on time, warns lawyer, Jordan Charness.
Back to school, 2009: part one
Rather than taking the school bus, many children are driven to school by their parents or by other parents in a carpool. Lawyer Jordan Charness advises drivers to make sure all kids under five are restrained properly in child seats.
Rather than taking the school bus, many children are driven to school by their parents or by other parents in a carpool. Lawyer Jordan Charness advises drivers to make sure all kids under five are restrained properly in child seats.
Driving in a foreign country, Part two
A minor collision in a foreign land turned out to be an expensive headache for Peter, but it could have been much worse. It pays to know the laws of the land you’re in, says lawyer Jordan W. Charness.
A minor collision in a foreign land turned out to be an expensive headache for Peter, but it could have been much worse. It pays to know the laws of the land you’re in, says lawyer Jordan W. Charness.
Driving in foreign countries, Part One
Canadians renting a car in a foreign country shouldn’t assume they have the same rights and freedoms as Canadians do, says lawyer Jordan W. Charness. In Part One of Peter’s driving vacation, Jordan explains how his ignorance created problems.
Canadians renting a car in a foreign country shouldn’t assume they have the same rights and freedoms as Canadians do, says lawyer Jordan W. Charness. In Part One of Peter’s driving vacation, Jordan explains how his ignorance created problems.
Doing everything wrong
Motorists who act impulsively without thinking can get themselves in trouble with the law, explains lawyer Jordan W. Charness. He cites the case of one person who did all the wrong things in a minor hit-and-run accident.
Motorists who act impulsively without thinking can get themselves in trouble with the law, explains lawyer Jordan W. Charness. He cites the case of one person who did all the wrong things in a minor hit-and-run accident.
Border crossings, Part Two
Driving to the United States? Lawyer Jordan W. Charness provides some useful tips on how to avoid potential customs and immigration problems when crossing the border.
Driving to the United States? Lawyer Jordan W. Charness provides some useful tips on how to avoid potential customs and immigration problems when crossing the border.
Border crossings, Part 1
There are a few important things to remember when crossing the U.S. border by car, says lawyer Jordan W. Charness. “Entering the U.S., or any other country for that matter, is a privilege and not a right,” he notes.
There are a few important things to remember when crossing the U.S. border by car, says lawyer Jordan W. Charness. “Entering the U.S., or any other country for that matter, is a privilege and not a right,” he notes.
Vacation rental car, Part three
Even though Peter had purchased Loss Damage Waiver insurance for his rental car, he ended up paying for the damages to the car in an accident because he didn’t read nor follow the rules in his rental car contract.
Even though Peter had purchased Loss Damage Waiver insurance for his rental car, he ended up paying for the damages to the car in an accident because he didn’t read nor follow the rules in his rental car contract.
Vacation car rental, Part two
When renting a car, Rule No. 1 is to always read the rental car contract, especially the bold print, says lawyer Jordan W. Charness. “It can make the rest of your trip way less eventful,” he advises.
When renting a car, Rule No. 1 is to always read the rental car contract, especially the bold print, says lawyer Jordan W. Charness. “It can make the rest of your trip way less eventful,” he advises.
Vacation Rental Car, Part one
On a family vacation, Peter picked up a rental car at his destination, but found that his luggage wouldn’t fit into it. He switched to a larger vehicle, but didn’t read his rental car contract thoroughly. He should have.
On a family vacation, Peter picked up a rental car at his destination, but found that his luggage wouldn’t fit into it. He switched to a larger vehicle, but didn’t read his rental car contract thoroughly. He should have.
Road trip distractions
Though dealing with in-car distractions such as squabbling children is not illegal, if it leads to dangerous driving or results in a collision, you can be declared legally at fault, says lawyer, Jordan W. Charness.
Though dealing with in-car distractions such as squabbling children is not illegal, if it leads to dangerous driving or results in a collision, you can be declared legally at fault, says lawyer, Jordan W. Charness.
Speeding ticket accuracy
While challenging a speeding ticket in court, Peter noticed that the police officer had filled in two blank boxes on the original ticket that were blank on his copy. Was this a reason to have the ticket cancelled, he wondered?
While challenging a speeding ticket in court, Peter noticed that the police officer had filled in two blank boxes on the original ticket that were blank on his copy. Was this a reason to have the ticket cancelled, he wondered?
Insurance company ping-pong
When a personal item is stolen from your car, does your auto insurance cover it, or your homeowner’s insurance? Lawyer Jordan W. Charness examines the case of a family whose van was broken into while on holidays.
When a personal item is stolen from your car, does your auto insurance cover it, or your homeowner’s insurance? Lawyer Jordan W. Charness examines the case of a family whose van was broken into while on holidays.
Dent and run
Peter accidentally backed his minivan into a pickup truck, but as the truck’s owner wasn’t present, Peter had to decide whether to leave an explanatory note and go, or call the police and stay. He made the right decision.
Peter accidentally backed his minivan into a pickup truck, but as the truck’s owner wasn’t present, Peter had to decide whether to leave an explanatory note and go, or call the police and stay. He made the right decision.
Don’t let them take away your driver’s licence
Older drivers who lose their driving privileges can face a long process to get their licence reinstated, says lawyer Jordan W. Charness. “But if an older driver can prove they can safely drive, they will eventually get back behind the wheel.”
Older drivers who lose their driving privileges can face a long process to get their licence reinstated, says lawyer Jordan W. Charness. “But if an older driver can prove they can safely drive, they will eventually get back behind the wheel.”
Older drivers
Slower reflexes, poor eyesight, poor hearing, fatigue and health problems can make if more difficult and more dangerous for older drivers. Many provinces require medical exams for drivers over 75, and can place restrictions on their driver’s licences.
Slower reflexes, poor eyesight, poor hearing, fatigue and health problems can make if more difficult and more dangerous for older drivers. Many provinces require medical exams for drivers over 75, and can place restrictions on their driver’s licences.
