Speed cameras may have been coming to a street near you

CONNOR LUCZKA, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Speed cameras may be coming to Stratford – though recent provincial posturing suggests the project will end before it even starts.

André Morin, chief administrative officer with the City of Stratford, informed the Times that a 24-month pilot project was being discussed. The number of cameras and where they would be located are not known as of yet, though Morin suggested community safety zones, areas around schools, parks or hospitals, are where staff would look to install them.

However, the Province of Ontario announced on Sept. 25 that it intends to ban municipal speed cameras. To improve road safety, the province will establish a new fund to implement safety measures such as speed bumps, roundabouts, raised crosswalks and curb extensions.

“At a time when governments at all levels should be doing everything they can to lower costs and make life more affordable, too many municipalities are using speed cameras as a cash grab,” said Premier Doug Ford in a media release. “Enough is enough. Instead of making life more expensive by sending speeding tickets to drivers weeks after the fact, we’re supporting road-safety measures that will prevent speeding in the first place, keep costs down and keep our streets safe.”

Ford’s comments sparked backlash from area municipalities and law enforcement. The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) has defended the use of speed cameras, as well as other forms of automated speed enforcement.

In a statement, the OACP asserts that automated enforcement “is proven to reduce speeding, change driver behaviour and make our roads safer for everyone – drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and especially children and other vulnerable road users. The use of these tools is controlled by municipalities and deployed in areas of the community, such as school zones and community safety zones, where slowing down saves lives and prevents serious injuries.

“The OACP has clearly indicated that Ontario’s police leaders view ASE not as a revenue tool, but as a traffic safety tool.”

Chief Greg Skinner of the Stratford Police Service agreed.

“The intent was never to be a cash grab as recently characterized, but to hold drivers and vehicle owners accountable for their driving behaviour with the hope of people making the conscious decision to pay attention and voluntarily comply with the posted speed limits,” Skinner said in an emailed statement. “… Municipalities need to leverage available technology to keep our streets and communities safe and the Stratford Police Service and the municipalities policed by the service have been progressive in implementing technology including body worn cameras, digital evidence management, in car camera systems, automated licence plate readers, drones, etc. to support the work that officers do in the community every day. 

“Automated speed enforcement is simply another tool available to promote safety and security and to hold those accountable for their driving behaviour as they put other responsible road users, cyclists and pedestrians at risk. I hope that the premier will consult further with the public prior to tabling any legislation that will negatively affect our communities.”

If speed cameras do get banned, Morin told the Times that the city will continue implementing safety measures based on engineering, physical options, education, awareness and enforcement.