Today, Premier Ford announced that the Provincial government will soon be introducing legislation to ban automated speed enforcement (ASE) cameras across Ontario.
As I have previously communicated, the Town of Aurora has never invested in ASE cameras – the cameras operating within Aurora are located on Regional roads and fall under the jurisdiction of York Region. With the passage of Provincial legislation, these cameras would be removed from Aurora’s roads.
I want to reassure residents that the cancellation of this program will have no financial impact here in Aurora. We had not purchased equipment or implemented cameras. While many have seen ASE as a tool to help curb speeding in school zones, I want to be clear that even with their removal, our commitment to road safety remains unchanged. We will continue to use every tool available to protect drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and most importantly, children and other vulnerable road users.
I would like to thank the Province for providing clarity on this issue, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are not spent on a program that will not continue. I also welcome the establishment of a new provincial fund to help municipalities implement alternative safety measures on our roadways. I look forward to continued collaboration with the Province, York Region and York Regional Police on effective measures to keep our community safe.
15 Responses
Just a heads up! You have a typo on the event date which should read October 9th not October 19th….
So what is the difference between getting a speeding ticket from a police officer or from a machine.
If you are speeding you pay the price .free up time for our officers for other tasks!
I personally think the Premier is wrong to cancel the Speed Cameras. If you hit speeders in their wallet they might stop speeding.We live off Old Yonge and let me tell you that there are lots of speeders on this Road. The 40 KLM is not happening let me tell you, people are going double than that most times. If you can’t have a speed camera on this road way then maybe you could think about installing a few speed bumps.
We are still waiting for a solution to prevent an accident with speeders at Seaton snd Glass intersection. Mayor, we have spoken and provided a signed pledge previously as well. You had mentioned a few options but still issue remains
Absolutely agree with he ban of ASE cameras. If the Region of York wishes to increase their income their elected officials should have the intestinal fortitude to raise taxes. Or hire crossing guards for the safety of children. And no, drivers should not speed in school zones, but they should be held accountable by a police officer, not a camera.
It would be a welcome respite to have a new budget without tax increase. How about giving it a try.
Good Day the commend on speed cameras was a good idea. However not much planning and preparation was put into this . One area was 60 next moment was 50 with little information there was time to slow down. Next was a letter and thicket in the mail. You couldn’t speak with any one——only send a little which one never got an answer. The speeders still drove fast and senior are only ones that get checked and tested. A real mess.
Personally, I am very disappointed in the Premiers decision to ban municipal speed cameras. This is hardly something to be proud of. It is irresponsible and shameful partisan politics.
As a resident of York Region and a driver – I can assure you that speeding is a HUGE issue in this community and across Ontario! Every day, on all roadways, people are driving well beyond the speed limit and putting pedestrians and children at risk. We can not expect larger signage and speed bumps (at additional and unnecessary cost) to encourage people to reduce their speeds. I am certainly not in favor of using our police force for the task of issuing tickets – since this is an obvious waste their time and limited specialized resources.
So I would truly love to have an honest answer as to why the government of Ontario would strip away a cost-effective deterrent to speeding? And what exactly is your plan to combat the aggressive driving that is becoming the norm? Unless you join with Doug Ford in condoning the reckless speeding that is common place on Ontario roadways?!
I actually wish they were being expanded. If you need proof of their necessity, please feel free to visit my neighbourhood for an hour and watch as countless drivers race into the traffic circles, fail to yield to pedestrians, fail to come to a full stop at the signs, and exceed the limit of 40KM. Start with the stretch of road along Hartwell Way, which includes a school zone). It is only a matter of time before someone is hit and is killed.
Dear Mayor Mrakas
So great is your foresight and financial planning:
1. No tax grab with speed cameras. After all is done by other municipalities, speed cameras and tickets didn’t prove there was any difference in road safety. Afterall, the heavy fines thousands of dollars collected from speed cameras didn’t accompany any accidents and injuries,
at all!
2. Road safety is very important and you wisdom and perspectives are exactly correct!
Keep up the good work!
Best regards
Ki Kit Li
Cancelling the cameras is insanity, Cameras have proved their worth over and over. Depending on the area – speed have been reduced from 10/20%. And people are driving with more caution. With the cameras removal predictably, speeds will increase and the risk for more accidents and injuries will increase. Premier Ford is giving in to the vandals and will be responsible for the inevitable results we know will occur.
Thank you, mayor！Great call on not spending on street camera and yes, safety first!
The speed cameras are just another example of bankrupt governments coming up with more ways to grab money from over taxed residents.
Thanks to premier Ford for recognizing the real motivation for this move.
Just put some speed bumps in and let everyone carry on with their lives. Not everyone is deterred by a ticket from a camera. (Which may not land on your driving record) And no one wants resources spent on officers who would be better served elsewhere.
Hate to tell all these anti speed camera folks, but they do work – ask any Australian. They are necessary and those who oppose them are the ones who are speeding through our streets in their oversized SUV’s, F150’s creating unsafe road conditions for pedestrians, cyclists, the elderly and children alike.
Has anyone every thought that this wouldn’t even be an issue if everyone obeyed the laws of the road! Trouble is in Ontario, the majority of people don’t obey the laws of the road. Ask your self when was the last time you actually came to a full stop at a red light when turning right if traffic wasn’t flowing through the intersection from your left?
No matter how many people follow the speed limit, the government will always drop the speed until drivers become speeders once again.
If drivers follow the posted speed limit of 50 km/hr, the government will drop it to 40 km/hr. If drivers then adapt and drive 40 km/hr, the government will drop it to 30 km/hr. The 100% proof of this fact is Guelph, Ontario, a municipality that keeps dropping speed limits from 50 to 40 to 30 as I mentioned.
In London, they are now experimenting with 10 km/hr. Soon, they will outright ban cars.