Several articles of the Highway Safety Code are unknown or misinterpreted by drivers.  Drivers are responsible for knowing the regulations before getting behind the wheel, since the courts do not recognize a defence based on ignorance of the law! 

Here are some examples of H.S.C. violations which are often the subject of investigations.

Flashing yellow light

When approaching a flashing yellow light, drivers of motor vehicles or bicycles must slow down and only continue on their way after allowing other motor vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians who have already entered the intersection to pass, unless signs indicate otherwise.

"U" Turns at intersections and between intersections

The "U"- turn can be considered a violation as described in article 310 of the Highway Safety Code, which stipulates that all drivers must obey posted signs. A driver cannot do a U-turn at an intersection where a sign prohibits it or on a road marked with a solid line since it is prohibited to cross such a line. On the other hand, the "U"- turn is authorized at intersections where there is no sign prohibiting it.

Demarcation Lines

The driver of a road vehicle cannot cross any of the following demarcation lines:

1°  a single solid line;

2°  two  parallel solid lines;

3°  two parallel lines,  one broken and the other solid on the vehicle's side of the lane.

**Exception

The first subparagraph does not apply when the driver must leave the direction he/she is driving in because it is blocked or closed, or if he/she is turning into a private driveway. Drivers must make sure that they can carry out this operation without risk.

Pedestrian crossing

When the roadway is marked with symbols and signs indicating a pedestrian crossing, the driver must show caution and yield the road to pedestrians needing to cross; not doing so constitutes a violation of article 410 of the Highway Safety Code.

 When a pedestrian walks through a pedestrian crosswalk, the driver of a road vehicle must stop and allow him/her to cross. The same rule applies to cyclists.

Yellow Light

Article 361. - Yellow Light

Unless indicated otherwise, when they come to a yellow light, drivers and cyclists must stop before the pedestrian crosswalk or stop line. Or, if there is none, they must stop before the line of the roadway that they are about to cross, unless they are already crossing or are so close it would be impossible for them to stop their vehicle without danger. They must not advance until the signal that allows them to move forward appears.

Advanced signal - use of lanes

Here is a good example of how to apply the Smith System while driving a car, which recommends looking up and far ahead.

While approaching an intersection, you spot an advance lane signal sign indicating that the right-hand side is strictly reserved for motorists about to turn right. If, unaware of this advanced signal, you keep driving on the right, and then decide at the last minute to switch lanes, you have committed a violation.

In fact, the motorists ahead of, and behind, you have priority for right turns, and you are getting in their way.

Observe the markings on the road. While approaching an intersection, if there are solid, unbroken demarcation lines, no lane changes are permitted.

You must respect this indication and carry out a right turn at the intersection.

Parking

The Highway Safety Code applies to the immobilization of vehicles; parkingin Montréal is controlled by local by-laws.

It is mainly the officers of the Section de l'application de la réglementation du stationnement who apply the local by-laws and hand out tickets.

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