Region of Waterloo officials will deliberate on temporarily halting the expansion of the area’s automated speed enforcement initiative at the upcoming administration and finance committee meeting this Tuesday. Coun. Colleen James is proposing a motion to pause the program until the provincial government provides specifics on the impending legislation announced by Premier Doug Ford to prohibit speed cameras.
The motion also calls for a freeze on hiring staff for program implementation and instructs staff to assess the potential consequences of terminating the automated speed enforcement program in case the ban is enforced. James emphasized the importance of understanding the potential impacts, whether financial or staffing-related, of canceling the program.
The Region of Waterloo introduced its automated speed enforcement program in February following a successful pilot project in 2021. Currently, there are 22 school zones in the Waterloo region equipped with automated speed cameras, with an additional six installations projected for this month.
In a mid-year report released in early September, the region highlighted increased compliance with speed limits since the program’s inception. James acknowledged the program’s effectiveness in influencing driver behavior and expressed hope that the province would review and refine the program rather than completely discontinuing it.
Geoff Wilkinson, executive director of the Ontario Traffic Council, advocated for the continuation of the automated speed enforcement program as a valuable tool for cities. Wilkinson emphasized the evidence supporting the program’s efficacy in reducing speeds and changing driver behavior, underscoring the risks involved in eliminating such a tool.
Furthermore, a coalition of mayors and school boards across Ontario have urged Premier Ford to reconsider the ban on speed cameras. Notably, mayors from various municipalities co-signed a letter advocating for the retention of speed cameras in school zones. Ontario’s school boards echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of maintaining safety measures to protect children in school areas.
The collective efforts by officials, organizations, and advocates underscore the significance of automated speed enforcement in promoting road safety and reducing risks for vulnerable road users.