Photo radar coming to Toronto.
Photo radar should soon be catching speeding drivers across Toronto — a notable and long-awaited development in the fight against traffic carnage that has claimed the lives of 37 pedestrians so far this year.
Ontario’s Transportation Ministry confirmed Friday, in response to a question about photo radar, “the province will be filing enabling regulations under the Safer School Zones Act today that will give municipalities the ability to adopt new and enhanced tools to promote safety in school zones and community safety zones.
“The regulations take effect (Sunday) and provide the framework to support municipalities in developing responsible, transparent and effective programs to promote road safety in their communities.”
Detailed regulations with rules for use of the “enhanced tools” had not yet been released by late Friday afternoon but the ministry made it clear the decision on whether to employ photo radar will be up to each municipality. It’s unclear if there are any restrictions about how cities can use the technology.
“Automated speed enforcement is a municipally driven initiative as municipal governments are in the best position to determine what needs to be done in order to improve road safety on municipal roads,” said Kristine Bunker, a Transportation Ministry spokeswoman, in an email.
Toronto has been waiting for years for regulatory approval to operate a planned 50 “automated speed enforcement” cameras across the city — two in each ward, in school and community safety zones where pedestrians and cyclists are at high risk according to data including collision figures.
The city is also working on doubling the 149 red light cameras catching drivers who run lights.
A June transportation report, adopted by city council, recommended preparing drivers for the risk a camera will register their speed and licence plate — and trigger the issuance by mail of a speeding ticket under the Highway Traffic Act — with an initial period where speeders get only a warning.
