Photo radars are seen as a way to assure safety on roads, but the real question is “Are they really there only for this reason or it is just a way for the gouvernement to make money ?”

In Québec city, it is a major problem. Our city is devided in more than 140 zones of monitoring by photo radar. Photo radars are everywhere, they can be in any street, near schools or also in construction sites.

This project started in 2009, but between 2011 and 2014 the price of the tickets increased twice. The population paid approximatively 18 million dollars on speeding infractions per year, but in December 2016 the amount cumulated by the gouvernement reached a peak of 46 million dollars. While some question the constituional valicity of such a project many feel the it is just a way to collect tax money.

Other canadian provinces have tried similar programs. Certain ones didn’t work and decided to completely take off photo radars from their cities. Their experiences could influence our decision to keep or stop this project in Québec.

Ontario

At first, they had this program in place, but they have circulated a petition to take off  photo radars . It worked and it was removed. But their gouvernement decided to return the photo radars only in the zones called “community safety zones”. “We have seen too many injuries and deaths caused by drivers who speed and endanger people’s lives.” said Katleen Wynne, the mayor of Toronto.

British Colombia

The last project of photo radars in this province dates back from 1996. All recalls of relocation of the program have been completely refused. In 2001, they tried to re-install a few of them, but once again, it was immediately canceled.

Alberta

Photo radars are present, but they are hidden behind trees or other natural elements.

Saskatchewan

The project has been in place for 2 years, but compared to other provinces, there is not a lot of photo radars. In fact, there is just 2 cameras to cover all of Saskatchewan.

Manitoba

There are photo radars only in the Capital, Winnipeg, because in every other place in Manitoba, it is illegal. Police patrols are there for the safety of everyone.

 New Foundland and Labrador

The project is very new to this province, so it is still in progress.

New Brunswick

It is actually illegal to put photo radars in New Brunswick, but consequently the police is very strict with speed limits.

Nova Scotia

There is an 18-months pilot program in progress to test photo radars.

In conclusion, many Quebecers feel like they are lied to. “We are told that it is just a safety mesure, but we all believe that it’s a way to get tax money.”

There is no proof of any value in term of security for all of the radars, but it is for sure a value in term of money for the gouverment.

Which choice is better for Québec city? Will it be a good thing to continute this project?

(written by Izaly Landry, edited by Geneviève Boudreault Boisvert and Mélodie Boisvert)