Common Demerit Penalties

 Demerit Reduction Program

SET Safety’s Course To Reduce The Demerits Points

When driving professionally, you or your employees may be exposed to a higher risk of collisions and other traffic incidents. Because of this, drivers often receive increased rates of traffic offences and, in turn, more demerit points against their operator’s licence. Drivers and employers alike cannot afford to lose any productivity to downtime caused by demerit point suspensions. Below is SET Safety’s guide to common demerit penalties and how to use our courses to reduce demerits and avoid them in the first place!

2 demerit points

  • Failing to obey instruction of traffic control device;
  • Improper backing;
  • Improper turns;
  • Improper turns;
  • Traffic lane violation;
  • Speeding (exceeding limit to maximum of 15 km/h).

3 demerit points

  • Driving against traffic;
  • Failing to report a collision;
  • Failing to stop at a stop sign;
  • Failing to stop for a red light;
  • Impeding passing vehicle;
  • Improper passing;
  • Stunting;
  • Speeding (exceeding limit by 16 to 30 km/h).

4 demerit points

  • Failing to yield right-of-way to a pedestrian in a crosswalk;
  • Following too closely;
  • Speeding (exceeding limit by 31 to 50 km/h).

5 demerit points

  • Failing to stop at a railway crossing (School bus or a vehicle carrying explosives, gas or flammable liquids);
  • Failing to stop for a peace officer.

6 demerit points

  • Careless driving;
  • Failing to stop for a school bus;
  • Racing;
  • Speeding (exceeding limit by at least 51 km/h).

7 demerit points

  • Failing to remain at the scene of a collision.

*NOTE: All of the information above is directly sourced from Alberta Transportation and may be subject to change.
As you can see, there are many pitfalls awaiting every driver when they set out on the road. Still: careful, cautious and conscientious drivers may go their whole lives without incurring any of these penalties. If you, a relative or your employees work in the commercial driving industry, consider SET Safety’s Professional Driver Improvement course– Alberta Government approved to reduce 3 demerit points. Also, feel free to review SET Safety’s course catalogue of driver training courses— from Air Brakes to Winter Driving, we have it all! Questions or concerns? Contact us today!