Financial responsibility following accident
281(1)Subject to subsections (2), (3) and (4), where bodily injury to, or the death of, any person or damage to property in an apparent amount of one thousand dollars or more, results from an accident in which a motor vehicle is in any manner, directly or indirectly, involved, the Registrar, on receipt of notice in writing from a peace officer of the accident, shall suspend the motor vehicle privilege of the owner and of the driver, except the privilege of a non-resident owner to remove the motor vehicle from the Province.
281(2)Where a person whose motor vehicle privilege is subject to suspension under this section satisfies the Registrar that
(a)
at the time of the accident the motor vehicle was a stolen vehicle,
(b)
the only damage resulting from the accident was to the person or property of the owner and of the driver,
(c)
at the time of the accident the motor vehicle was parked in a place where parking was at that time permitted,
(d)
at the time of the accident the motor vehicle was owned by a common carrier certified as a self insurer or protected by a self insurance fund under section 278 and was being operated by the driver with the consent of the owner, or
(e)
at the time of the accident he was the registered owner of one or more motor vehicles in respect of all of which he was, at such time, maintaining proof of financial responsibility,
if the suspension has not already become effective, the Registrar shall not suspend the motor vehicle privilege, and if it has become effective he shall reinstate the motor vehicle privilege.
281(3)Where a person whose motor vehicle privilege is subject to suspension under this section produces to the Registrar a financial responsibility card or motor vehicle liability insurance card in respect of the motor vehicle involved in the accident, and in full force at the time of the accident, or where the Registrar is satisfied that at the time of the accident a financial responsibility card or a motor vehicle liability insurance card is in full force in respect of such motor vehicle, then, if the suspension has not already become effective, the Registrar shall not suspend the motor vehicle privilege, and if it has become effective he shall reinstate the motor vehicle privilege.
281(4)Where a person whose motor vehicle privilege is subject to suspension under this section produces to the Registrar a financial responsibility card or a motor vehicle liability insurance card in respect of a motor vehicle liability policy issued to or for the benefit of that person as a driver that is in full force at the time of the accident or where the Registrar is satisfied that at the time of the accident there was in full force a motor vehicle liability policy in the amount specified in section 282 issued to or for the benefit of that person as a driver, then, if the suspension has not already become effective, the Registrar shall not suspend the motor vehicle privilege of the driver, or if it has become effective he shall reinstate such privilege.
281(5)Subject to subsections (2), (3) and (4), the motor vehicle privilege suspended pursuant to subsection (1) shall remain so suspended, nor shall any new motor vehicle privilege be thereafter granted to the person whose motor vehicle privilege has been so suspended until he gives proof of financial responsibility as provided for in sections 282 and 283.
1955, c.13, s.253; 1957, c.21, s.27; 1960, c.53, s.46, 47; 1961-62, c.62, s.101; 1966, c.81, s.15, 16; 1970, c.34, s.16; 1980, c.34, s.15; 1993, c.5, s.15