TORONTO, Ont. – There was much discussion at the OTA offices today concerning the Ontario’s Ministry of the Attorney General’s recent discussion paper that focuses on the potential introduction of an online administrative monetary penalty system (AMPS).

A number of trucking fleets and representatives from the legal community gathered at the OTA offices to voice their opinions on the paper, that suggests replacing aspects of the existing court system that deals with provincial offences and municipal infractions to an online system.

The goal was to gather opinions from the trucking industry as to whether or not moving to an online system would benefit, rather than hinder a driver’s ability to dispute a Municipal or Highway Traffic Act offence.

The OTA says the meeting concluded that the carrier and legal community:

• Didn’t support any penalties outside of parking tickets moving to an AMPS;
• Believed the movement to such a system is an insult to the justice system, and the right to be presumed innocent before proven guilty;
• Believed the movement to such a system could lead to the reduced accountability of the enforcement community and eliminate personal interaction, which is necessary to the improvement of highway safety through education.

OTA says it “will be working with its membership and government officials to ensure industry concerns are reflected in any potential changes to the legal system.”