Critics are labeling the City of Vaughan’s choice to end its speed camera program as shortsighted, claiming that the cameras played a key role in lowering speeding rates.
Councillors made the decision on Monday to stop the program due to its financial effects on residents. However, a report from a deputy city manager presented before the vote indicates that the cameras decreased the average number of speeding cars each day by 56 per cent at all 10 enforcement sites, prior to pausing the program in June.
The report also reveals that average driving speeds fell by 23 per cent.
These findings align with studies demonstrating the effectiveness of speed cameras, including research conducted by Toronto Metropolitan University professor Linda Rothman.
She describes the city’s move to eliminate the program over financial concerns as “upsetting.”
“All they have to do is to slow down,” she stated.
Rothman’s study evaluating speed cameras across 250 school zones in Toronto discovered that they reduce speeding by 45 per cent – with speeding rates rising again once cameras are removed.
The city report backs up this conclusion, showing a 59 per cent increase in daily speeding vehicles after it was announced that the program would be paused in June. The report mentions increases in average speeds as well, though without specifying how much.
“It’s amazing to us that you’re able to send us a $110 or $120.00 ticket for going just a few kilometres over but you’re not able protect our homes or families,” he said residents expressed during discussions.
According to the city’s data , more than 30 ,000 tickets were issued within three weeks following the launch of this initiative.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has also voiced his negative opinion towards these devices , praising Vaughan for their decision.
However , there are residents who disagree with removing these cameras altogether. An online petition advocating for reduced fines and limiting camera operations only during school hours or areas identified as having serious safety issues has gained nearly 1 ,800 signatures.
Toronto’s speedcams keep getting vandalized. Are taxpayers on hook ?
Toronto’s pole-mounted speed cameras have been vandalized at least 25 times since last November. And as CBC’s Tyler Cheese explains , these incidents may end up costing taxpayers.
More complaints have surfaced about major road-operated cameras within York Region compared with those under municipal management according Vaughan city councillor Marilyn Iafrate.
Iafrate represents Ward One ; she raised concerns regarding insufficient notice surrounding special meetings preceding votes held regarding this issue. She noted it was publicized late Friday evening before scheduled information session cancelled Wednesday addressing camera topics
She conveyed hopes amongst herself and others hoped adjustments rather than cancellations might occur
“I hope some councillors suggest first tickets could serve simply as notices instead,” she explained.
Eddy Aceti , resident from Vaughan along with administering road safety advocacy group mentioned possibilities increasing threshold triggered tickets instead eliminating entire system entirely
“We don’t believe accidents should prevail over protecting children around schools parks just because someone wants shave minute off travel time.”
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Mayor says city will focus on other measures
When launched in April, Vaughan installed 10 cameras within community safety zones, which included school areas. Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca shared with CBC Radio’s Metro Morning that when not monitored by cameras, cars were averaging speeds of 48 km/h in those safety zones. The speed limit for school zones is set at 40 km/h. “Now technically, that is above the speed limit. Don’t get me wrong,” he noted. “[it] does not feel to me like the average rate of speed was so ridiculously high that through using other measures that we wouldn’t be able to achieve a similar outcome.” He added that the city plans to “double down” on alternative solutions aimed at reducing speeds in school and community safety zones where cameras were previously placed-such as adding speed bumps and flex posts. Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca speaks to media in Vaughan, Ont., Monday Dec, 19, 2022. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn Mc Adorey) However, Rothman argues these alternatives aren’t nearly as effective as redesigning roads or enforcing speed limits-something Del Duca acknowledged has been found in “some studies,” yet he still believes they can reach satisfactory results without cameras. Sean Shapiro, a former traffic officer and road safety advocate, labeled ending this program as “baloney.” He expressed concern regarding the mayor’s remarks about an average speed of 48 km/h being acceptable. “Speed limits are designed to keep people safe…. Saying it’s not a big deal invalidates speed limits and that’s not the right message to be sending,” he remarked. He also pointed out that an average of 48 km/h means some drivers could have been going much faster than that.Concerns Over Speed Cameras Being Cash Cows
Del Duca mentioned stopping this program arose from worries voiced by upset residents about how easily tickets were issued while fears related to violent crimes grew stronger.“It’s amazing to us that you’re able to send us a $110 or $120.00 ticket for going just a few kilometres over but you’re not able protect our homes or families,” he said residents expressed during discussions.
According to the city’s data , more than 30 ,000 tickets were issued within three weeks following the launch of this initiative.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has also voiced his negative opinion towards these devices , praising Vaughan for their decision.
However , there are residents who disagree with removing these cameras altogether. An online petition advocating for reduced fines and limiting camera operations only during school hours or areas identified as having serious safety issues has gained nearly 1 ,800 signatures.
Toronto’s speedcams keep getting vandalized. Are taxpayers on hook ?
Toronto’s pole-mounted speed cameras have been vandalized at least 25 times since last November. And as CBC’s Tyler Cheese explains , these incidents may end up costing taxpayers.
More complaints have surfaced about major road-operated cameras within York Region compared with those under municipal management according Vaughan city councillor Marilyn Iafrate.Iafrate represents Ward One ; she raised concerns regarding insufficient notice surrounding special meetings preceding votes held regarding this issue. She noted it was publicized late Friday evening before scheduled information session cancelled Wednesday addressing camera topics
She conveyed hopes amongst herself and others hoped adjustments rather than cancellations might occur
“I hope some councillors suggest first tickets could serve simply as notices instead,” she explained.
Eddy Aceti , resident from Vaughan along with administering road safety advocacy group mentioned possibilities increasing threshold triggered tickets instead eliminating entire system entirely
“We don’t believe accidents should prevail over protecting children around schools parks just because someone wants shave minute off travel time.”
Source link
