Ostrander pens letter to Ford to keep speed camera in Brighton, suggesting it is slowing drivers

Community Safety Zone-Municipality of Mississauga.

By: Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM News, Local Journalism Initiative.

Brighton Mayor Brian Ostrander has written to Premier Doug Ford expressing support for the Automated Speed Enforcement Program or speed cameras in his community.

The province said the government will soon table legislation to eliminate the cameras, with Ford calling them a cash or tax grab, which is 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.

“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 its 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.

Councillor Jeff Wheeldon is in support of the speed camera program, as it is proving to change driving habits

“We are seeing people slow down. It’s very obvious from hearing some figures, the difference in your chances of a full recovery if you get hit by a car going 30 [KP/H] versus going 40 or 50. You almost have a chance for a full recovery if you get hit by a car going 30 [KP/H]. A very little chance if you’re going 50,” Wheeldon explained.

22 other municipalities have written to the Ford government calling for the legislation to be scrapped, but that considerations to the speed enforcement program be introduced, including; warning tickets for first time offenders, setting reasonable speed thresholds before a ticket is issued, a one week blackout between offenses and adjusting the operating times of the camera to function during high pedestrian use periods.