Critics are labeling the City of Vaughan’s choice to eliminate its speed camera program as short-sighted, arguing that the cameras played a significant role in curbing speeding.
Councillors made the decision on Monday to end the program due to its financial implications for residents. However, a report from a deputy city manager presented before the vote indicates that the cameras managed to reduce the daily average of speeding vehicles by 56 per cent across all 10 enforcement sites prior to the program being paused in June.
The average driving speed also fell by 23 per cent, according to this report.
These results align with research showing that speed cameras are effective, including a study led by Toronto Metropolitan University professor Linda Rothman.
She describes the city’s choice to discontinue the program due to financial concerns as “upsetting.”
“All they have to do is slow down,” she stated.
Rothman’s analysis of speed cameras in 250 Toronto school zones found that they decreased speeding by 45 per cent – and once cameras were taken out, speeding returned.
The city report backs up this conclusion, revealing that after announcing the pause in June, there was a 59 per cent rise in the daily number of cars exceeding speed limits. The report also mentions increases in average speeds without specifying how much.
Toronto’s speedcams keep getting vandalized. Are taxpayers on the hook?Toronto’s pole-mounted speed cameras have faced vandalism at least twenty-five times since last November; CBC’s Tyler Cheese explains such incidents might end up burdening taxpayers financially.
There are more complaints related specifically about major roads monitored by York Region’s respective systems than those linked directly under municipal control according councilor Marilyn Iafrate representing Vaughan City.
Iafrate voiced worries regarding insufficient notice around scheduling special meetings where votes occurred noting announcements came Friday evening right ahead information sessions initially planned now canceled Wednesday concerning these monitoring methods.
Some council members suggested offering warnings instead first violations rather than outright termination altogether.
Eddy Aceti-a resident active within an online advocacy group focused on road safety-proposed raising thresholds triggering tickets instead completely abolishing existing measures stating his belief people shouldn’t need endure accidents risking children getting hit walking near schools parks simply because someone wants save time commuting home faster.
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Mayor plans to focus on other solutions
Vaughan introduced 10 cameras within community safety zones, such as school areas, when launching the program in April. According to Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca speaking on CBC Radio’s Metro Morning about how successful the cameras were, he noted that prior to using them, the average speed at these community safety zones was 48 km/h. In school zones specifically, there is a limit of 40 km/h. “Now technically, that is above the speed limit. Don’t get me wrong,” he acknowledged. “[it] does not feel to me like the average rate of speed was so ridiculously high that through using other measures we wouldn’t be able to achieve a similar outcome.” He added that the city will “double down” on alternative strategies aimed at reducing speeds in school and community safety zones where those cameras had been set up, mentioning installations like 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 such alternatives aren’t nearly as effective compared to changing road designs or actual speed enforcement – something Del Duca admitted some studies have shown but still believes will lead to good outcomes for their city. Sean Shapiro, who is a former traffic officer and advocate for road safety called it “baloney” when discussing ending this program. He expressed concern over what he sees as troubling logic behind mentioning an average speed of 48 km/h from the mayor’s side. ‘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 we’re sending,” he remarked.Concerns raised over perception of cash grab
Del Duca mentioned halting this program stemmed from worried residents voicing frustration over how easily one could receive a ticket while concerns about violent crime increased.“It’s amazing to us that you’re able 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 explained residents told him during discussions.The city reported more than 30 thousand tickets were issued within three weeks following implementation of this new system. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has also shown his disapproval towards these enforcement tools while applauding Vaughan’s decision. But there remains support among some residents wishing for continued operation regarding these devices. An online petition advocating for reduced fines along with limiting camera use strictly during school hours gathered nearly eighteen hundred signatures.
Toronto’s speedcams keep getting vandalized. Are taxpayers on the hook?Toronto’s pole-mounted speed cameras have faced vandalism at least twenty-five times since last November; CBC’s Tyler Cheese explains such incidents might end up burdening taxpayers financially.
There are more complaints related specifically about major roads monitored by York Region’s respective systems than those linked directly under municipal control according councilor Marilyn Iafrate representing Vaughan City.
Iafrate voiced worries regarding insufficient notice around scheduling special meetings where votes occurred noting announcements came Friday evening right ahead information sessions initially planned now canceled Wednesday concerning these monitoring methods.
Some council members suggested offering warnings instead first violations rather than outright termination altogether.
Eddy Aceti-a resident active within an online advocacy group focused on road safety-proposed raising thresholds triggering tickets instead completely abolishing existing measures stating his belief people shouldn’t need endure accidents risking children getting hit walking near schools parks simply because someone wants save time commuting home faster.Source link
