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The first batch of results from SGI’s recently-launched photo radar program are in, and they’re not good.
SGI launched the two-year pilot project at high-speed enforcement areas last December.
SGI had said earlier in the month that nearly 5,000 warnings had been given to speedy drivers. Now the crown has received a full set of data from Xerox, the company gathering the data, which shows a lot more notices will need to be sent out.
The data shows that in December 2014, 16,199 vehicles were going above the posted speed limit while passing cameras at Moose Jaw on Highway 1, Regina’s Ring Road, Saskatoon’s Circle Drive, Highway 1 east of Regina and Highway 12 near Martensville. Meanwhile, 5,478 vehicles were driving too fast in school zones in Moose Jaw, Regina and Saskatoon. Not all of the vehicles have received their notices to date.
Most of the province’s cameras launched on Dec. 8, 2014, with the exception of the Moose Jaw cameras which have been operating since Nov. 15. For the first two months, drivers were only get warning letters. Afterwards, drivers will receive tickets.
Agencies/Canadajournal
It feels far more dangerous when you’re driving 90-95 and come up to someone now driving 60-70. There are also many “speed bump” brakers slamming on the brakes at the cameras. I don’t feel safer, I feel used by SGI to fund them. Traffic is also far heavier and slower (too slow; 60-70) since radar.
In Regina at least, these speed cameras have made driving on the Ring Road more dangerous, as the road has grown considerably more congested. If safety was one of their goals (and I will bet my bottom dollar it as used as a selling point to the public for the implementation of this nothing-more-than a new revenue stream), they failed.
Typical uneducated Canadian law enforcement. Why do you suppose Europe has much lower accident rates than North America?
Because Europeans know that what kills is speed differential, not absolute speed.
If we ever get enlightened in Canada, we’ll start to see speed limits that are reasonable for the roads and we’ll also see posted minimum speed limits. This would actually help save lives, but unfortunately it won’t raise the same revenues.
Make no mistake, these ‘BRAD-CAMS’ have nothing to do with safety. This is strictly about revenue generation by SGI and the Wall government. In Alberta (City of Edmonton), $41 million dollars of additional revenue was collected from Alberta drivers in 2013 from their radar camera program. This provided a nice, steady flow of additional cash in to the city and since very few people have the time, energy or inclination to fight these (largely) excessive fines, they mostly go unopposed and are paid. Do some research on the error margin with photo radar cameras and realize if most citizens fought the tickets they were issued, the program would most likely not continue past its ‘probation’ period…
Had this program in BC for a while. Worked like it was supposed to, slowing down the speeding twits who think that laws apply to everyone but them. Actually looked good on them getting their tickets in the mail and whining and snivelling about it on TV and letters to the editor. Unfortunately the Guberment of the day, yep the same one we still have, caved to the whiners and snivellers. A shame really, this is a program that works, odd for a Guberment idea but it worked nonetheless.
Cameras as just a way to enforce a velocity tax. They have NOTHING to do with safety.