After casting their votes on a bylaw that would prohibit the use of photo radar in Morinville, the majority of voters decided against the bylaw.
The polls closed at 8 p.m. Monday, with 654 votes against the bylaw, that would ban the use of photo radar and prohibit any future use of red-light cameras, 525 voters supported the bylaw.
The future of photo radar in the community had become a major talking point, after 900 people signed a petition in the fall of 2013 to get rid of photo radar.
“Our community’s had a great conversation about traffic safety and photo radar,” Mayor Lisa Holmes said Tuesday morning. “Some of the questions that have come up are just how we select the sites we operate out of, are we spending enough time in school zones? Is the operator clear enough on his policies are we transparent enough in its use?”
The use of photo radar amounts to between $250,000 and $350,000 for the town – and there were fears that losing that money could mean higher taxes.
The town’s current photo radar enforcement contract will expire at the end of the month, Morinville Town Council will discuss the next contract over the next couple of weeks – including potential changes to photo radar locations and hours.
With files from Laura Tupper
