Ontario is set to remove speed cameras in two weeks following the passing of legislation by Premier Doug Ford’s government to ban them. The government plans to replace the cameras with alternative traffic calming measures, although the exact timeline for implementation remains uncertain.
Despite evidence gathered by municipalities and researchers at the Hospital for Sick Children indicating the effectiveness of speed cameras in reducing speeding, Ford believes that measures such as speed bumps, roundabouts, and flashing signs are more impactful in slowing down drivers.
Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria mentioned that temporary and larger signage will be installed in all municipal speed camera-affected zones before the deadline on the 14th. The government will collaborate with municipalities in the upcoming weeks to explore additional traffic calming measures.
Ford has proposed encouraging municipalities to utilize speed bumps, raised crosswalks, and roundabouts, with a new fund aimed at assisting in covering associated costs. However, specific funding details have not been disclosed by the government yet.
‘A gap in safety’
Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, along with over 20 mayors, advocated for modifying rather than eliminating the speed camera program. She emphasized the importance of securing funding and implementing alternative measures before removing the speed cameras to prevent a safety gap.
Meed Ward expressed concerns about the effectiveness of signs alone, the feasibility of speed bumps on busy roads near schools, and the practicality and cost of roundabouts. She highlighted the cost-effectiveness of speed cameras, shifting the financial burden from taxpayers to violators.
Opposition leaders, including NDP Leader Marit Stiles and Liberal parliamentary leader John Fraser, raised alarms about the removal of speed cameras without immediate alternative measures in place. They criticized the government’s decision, citing evidence from various sources supporting the effectiveness of speed cameras in enhancing community safety.
Ford initiated the campaign against speed cameras following the destruction of 17 automated speed cameras in Toronto over a two-day period. The legislation to prohibit speed cameras was included in a red tape reduction bill, which the government expedited by limiting debate and bypassing public hearings.