Police chiefs in Ontario are opposing Premier Doug Ford’s plan to eliminate automated speed cameras, stating that these devices have been effective in decreasing dangerous speeding across various towns and cities.
In a statement released Thursday morning, the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police expressed their support for the cameras that Premier Ford has labeled a “tax grab,” asserting that they have been “proven to reduce speeding.”
This month, Ford initiated a move to compel local municipalities to remove automated speed cameras from their roads, claiming they don’t enhance safety and primarily serve as a source of revenue for city hall.
“It’s just a tax grab, and they should take out those cameras, all of them,” he said on Sept. 9. “If you want to slow down traffic in school, you put the big, huge signs, big flashing lights, crossing area, people will slow down. This is nothing but a tax grab.”
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2:11 Doug Ford doubles down on scrapping speed cameras after police association pushes back
A study released in July by Sick Kids and Toronto Metropolitan University found that speed cameras led to a 45 percent reduction in speeding incidents in Toronto. However, on Tuesday, Ford dismissed the notion that speed cameras contribute positively to road safety.
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“The only thing proven is that they take money out of taxpayers’ pockets,” the premier claimed.
The heads of Ontario’s police forces disagree and urged municipal and provincial leaders to utilize the cameras wisely to enhance road safety.
“These tools are especially deployed in school zones and community safety zones, where slowing down saves lives and prevents serious injuries,” the police chiefs wrote.
“Ontario’s police leaders view ASE not as a revenue tool, but as a traffic safety tool. Its purpose is deterrence and prevention – helping to change driver behaviour and reduce collisions. By complementing traditional police enforcement, ASE also frees up police resources to focus on other pressing public safety priorities.”
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The support from Ontario’s police chiefs came after a similar letter from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, which informed Ford that there is solid evidence indicating that the cameras enhance road safety.
“The evidence shows that if (automated speed enforcement) cameras are removed, speeds will increase in community safety zones and more pedestrians will be at risk,” association president Robin Jones stated in the letter.
“Instead, we strongly recommend that you work with municipalities to ensure we have the tools we need to ensure road safety.”
It remains uncertain if this latest push will influence the premier’s decision. Ford has been clear about his plans to proceed with eliminating the cameras – and may propose legislation requiring municipalities to discard them.
One city in Ontario has already indicated its willingness to comply by completely scrapping its program.
This week, Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca convened an emergency council meeting to abolish the city’s speed camera initiative, earning praise from Premier Ford.
“I’m proud of Mayor Del Duca and I’ll be making an announcement with Mayor Del Duca,” he said, without offering any specifics on what that announcement would entail.
“There’s so many ways to reduce and slow down traffic (other than) gouging people when they go three kilometres over the speed limit. It’s unfortunate some mayors decided to go down that avenue, but we’ll work with the mayors.”
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– with files from The Canadian Press
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