The Case for Photo Radar

Presentation to Transportation
Committee, May 4th, 2016

SafeStreetsOttawa.ca
Petition/Email Tool
for residents to
express their
support for this
motion.
More than 800
signatures from
every ward.
Supported by
community groups
across the city.

Whats the fuss with photo

radar?
Photo radar annoys people because they get
more tickets.
People are supposed to be annoyed by
tickets. Thats what discourages
bad/dangerous actions.
More tickets = higher risk of enforcement,
less bad behaviour.
Examples: parking tickets, paying for the
bus.
Except speeding is a public safety hazard.

Why Be Concerned About

Speed?

Efficacy in Improving Safety

Case Study:
Booth/Gladstone

Case Study:
Booth/Gladstone
Booth and Gladstone is a 40km/h
Intersection bounded by elementary
school, 2 day cares, church, playground.
Families in surrounding homes.
Speed measured in 2012 with speed board
56% of vehicles over speed limit.
15% of vehicles travelling >25% over
limit.
>5% were 55km/h+ (~140% of limit).
Conclusion: Even lenient enforcement
improves safety.

Why not just School Zones?

Primrose park
experiences substantial
cut-through traffic
Same reasons school
zones important are true
for parks/green spaces
Winnipeg includes
playground zones
Giving OPS flexibility to
determine locations best
meets local needs

An all of Ottawa Challenge

Effective Tools For Efficient

Policing
Can Ottawa afford to be choosy with
the tools it uses?
OPS already looking at cost saving
measures, including changes that
reduce important community
policing.
Photo Radar frees police resources
for other tasks, increases speed
enforcement. Win-win.

But What About the

Revenue?
Ideally, people will just stop speeding and ticket
revenue will disappear. Thats a good thing.
Until then: Traffic safety, tree planting,
community gardens, food bank, general
revenues, bonfire, whatever.
Opponents focus on how much they have to pay
when they break the law.
You should focus on what are the best tools to
improve safety in your neighbourhood. Evidence
clearly supports photo radar.

Thanks!