Traffic cameras are a cash grab

June 19, 2013 · 0 Comments

I’ve been reading about red-light cameras and how some intersections within our region will have these devices installed.
I believe this initiative to be little more than a cash grab as opposed to York Region’s concern for road safety.
The U.S based National Motorists Association claims that the cities using the cameras have not shown any improved safety at intersections, in fact, in many cases rear-end collisions have increased, with panicking drivers slamming on the brakes to avoid getting a ticket.
They have urged some municipalities to increase the length of yellow light durations as a safety alternative but most have turned down the idea as that would reduce revenue. The National Motorists Association has also been made aware of a number of cities and counties in Florida that have actually reduced the yellow light duration to increase the number of drivers caught on camera, thus increasing revenue!
Before long, this type of “highway robbery” may be implemented here.
As the current provincial Liberal government has shown us, they will allow just about anything to dig deeper into our pockets. York Region tells us these cameras will generate little or no profit after expenses, which I don’t believe for a second. Statistics show that crime in general is down in York Region yet they have been hiring more officers.
Why don’t they put one or two cops at these intersections and stop the red-light running drivers as the offence occurs? Receiving a ticket in the mail a couple of weeks later will not stop the dangerous driver from continuing to offend until that point!
I am disappointed that this plan is moving forward, but with the way things have been going in this province lately, not at all surprised.

Mark Chisholm
Aurora