Speed Cameras: Revenue Over Safety: BENN
The City of Ottawa is frequently guilty of overplaying its hand. And not just on speed cameras.
The speed camera legislation was created to increase safety for school children around school zones. Deployment was limited to being near schools. A reasonable implication is that when school is not in, children at the school are few and far between. Accordingly, my suggestion of changing the operating hours to those that cover the times when children will be in the vicinity of the school.
The city expanded its definition of proximity to schools. For example, there is a speed camera on Greenbank Road, about 100-150 metres north of Sir Robert Borden High School, with the camera facing north at traffic coming down a hill to go under a rail line. More than 500 metres south, and two traffic signals away is an elementary school. Elementary school children represent a greater risk profile than high-school-aged students. Given the choice between addressing a higher risk zone and higher revenue potential, staff opted for revenue.
Erecting higher profile speed warning signs would serve to reduce the number of speeders. Reducing the number of speeders limits revenue. As I have oft pointed out, what gets measured gets managed. Staff reports focus on revenue, and that says it all.
Finally, I wish to point out that I have never received a speeding ticket from one of these school zone speed cameras.
Ron Benn, a finance executive, has been a member of the Centrepointe Community Association for the better part of three decades.
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Ron, I have been the beneficiary of one of these tickets … on a statutory holiday.
Cash grab? Absolutely.
In Kanata, Councillor Curry tried to have city staff keep the signs that tell you how fast you are going as it would add to school zone safety but they were too near the speed camera and people would have slowed down instead of getting a ticket so they were moved down the road. It’s hard not to argue that this wasn’t just a cash grab.
I too was the recipient of a speeding ticket for driving 80- in a 60-zone on Hunt Club Road. Two things were frustrating, 1) the speed limit changes multiple times along Hunt Club from Hawthorne all the way through to Woodroffe, and 2) there are no schools anywhere along Hunt Club Road, although there are neighbourhoods “off” Hunt Club in which a number of schools are present. But . . . I was speeding, I paid the fine, and now feel I have the right to gripe. Let’s face it, life’s not fair. I have been more diligent paying attention to where these cameras are now located. So, is this a cash grab or just a way to test the memory of old folks like me? Definitely a cash grab! On the other hand, I fully support red light cameras.
Rob Ford is just being a populist in banning these cameras. Great move politically. Now towns such as Ottawa will have replace said revenues. But how?
Dan, isn’t it a bit unbelievable that a city the size of Ottawa has to rely on speed zone cameras to shore up revenue?
How bad are the City of Ottawa finances?