Ford Government eliminates speed cameras

Community Safety Zone-Municipality of Mississauga.

Despite pushback from municipal leaders, including Brighton Mayor Brian Ostrander, the Ontario Government has passed legislation at Queen’s Park to ban speed cameras.

The Bill was fast tracked through the legislature with limited public consultation and debate. When Premier Doug Ford announced the move, he called speed cameras a cash grab, making life more expensive.

Yet Ostrander’s letter states that Brighton’s speed camera is located in a Community Safety Zone, which includes two schools, a large daycare, a seniors care facility and a park. He said the cameras are about increasing public safety.Statistics in the letter indicate initially, the system recorded approximately 300 violations per day.

As of mid September, when the letter was written, that number had dropped to just 73—a reduction of over 75 percent. Weekend violations have also decreased by 50 percent, a sustained change in driver behaviour. The camera was activated in mid-July.

“I think they got it wrong on this particular issue. We know in Brighton that our speed camera has reduced speeding on Elizabeth Street and our Community Safety Zone by over 75 percent. This works and it's creating safety in our community,” Ostrander explained.

Statistics in the letter indicate initially, the system recorded approximately 300 violations per day. As of mid September, when the letter was written, that number had dropped to just 73—a reduction of over 75 percent. Weekend violations have also decreased by 50 percent, a sustained change in driver behaviour. The camera was activated in mid-July.

The government said it will focus on other measures to calm traffic such as speed bumps, roundabouts and enhanced signage.