Near a speed camera in the western part of Toronto, a group of parents and children gathered on Saturday to protest the Ontario government’s decision to discontinue automated speed enforcement (ASE) in the province. The concerned parents, holding signs and pushing strollers near the Bloor and Dundas streets intersection, highlighted the safety advantages of ASE. They expressed fears that Premier Doug Ford’s move to ban speed cameras, especially near schools in Toronto, would endanger young lives.
Faraz Gholizadeh, co-chair of the community group Safe Parkside, stressed the importance of speed cameras in protecting children traveling to school. He criticized Premier Ford for disregarding the safety measures provided by speed cameras and endangering children’s lives.
Premier Ford recently announced plans to introduce legislation that would prohibit municipalities from using ASE to combat speeding, a practice initially permitted in 2019. Despite evidence from studies, municipal data, and police endorsements, Ford dismissed speed cameras as merely a revenue-generating tactic for municipalities, arguing that they do not enhance road safety. Instead, Ford proposed that municipalities with existing speed cameras in school zones should install prominent signs with flashing lights to slow down drivers. Additionally, the province would establish a fund to support municipalities in implementing alternative traffic-calming methods like speed humps and raised sidewalks, aligning with Toronto’s Vision Zero road safety strategy.
The decision faced opposition from various quarters, including the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, and the Mayor of Toronto, who all expressed support for speed cameras. A study conducted by SickKids over the summer revealed that ASE cameras had significantly reduced speeding around Toronto schools.
Colin Lee, a resident living near a speed camera in North York, observed a noticeable reduction in speeding among passing vehicles, emphasizing the positive impact of speed cameras on driver behavior.
Noel Semple, whose 13-year-old child commutes to school by bike, voiced concerns about the absence of speed cameras near school routes. He criticized Premier Ford’s claims about ASE, stating that following traffic laws is the simplest way to avoid penalties, and emphasized the responsibility of the government to prioritize children’s safety.
This demonstration is part of a broader movement against the proposed ban on speed cameras, with stakeholders advocating for the retention of ASE programs for enhanced road safety in Ontario.
