Edmonton officials question UCP photo radar ban in most 40 km zones
New provincial rules that ban photo radar in most 40 km/h zones are not sitting well with some Edmonton officials.
The UCP announced changes on Wednesday that the minister said will stop "fishing holes and speed traps."
They will also eliminate about 120 commonly-used enforcement sites on Edmonton residential roads.
"I am a little troubled about a couple of the changes," said Ward Nakota Isga Councillor Andrew Knack.
"The suggestion you shouldn’t be able to use it on streets under 50 km/h goes against what we hear from the public."
In September, city council reduced Edmonton's default speed limit from 50 km/h to 40 km/h, affecting most of the residential roads in the city.
Knack said neighbourhoods are where most of his constituents want slower traffic and more police enforcement, not less.
"The public is often the one to say, 'I'd rather see it in communities'...I'm a little troubled that a change like that would happen without proper engagement," he said.
In a news conference, Transportation Minister Rajan Sawhney said the UCP's new rules will increase transparency and accountability.
Photo radar will still be allowed in zones under 50 km/h but only in school, playground or construction zones, and only if there are people present at the time.
"I have looked at the data and I know that photo radar does enhance safety outcomes based on what we know," Sawhney said.
The minister said municipalities will be required to provide data and rationale for why automated enforcement is being used in a particular place, but she didn't specifically explain why 40 km/h zones are out.
'FIRST THAT WE'RE HEARING OF THIS PIECE'
Edmonton's Director of Safe Mobility said she wasn't sure why the province brought that rule in either, and claimed it wasn't part of 2020 provincial consultations.
"This is the first that we're hearing of this piece in particular," Jessica Lamarre said Wednesday.
"Automated enforcement is an important tool in helping keep people safe in those spaces, and across the city."
Lamarre said the city would be conducting a review of its policies, and will be forced to look at other options on residential roads when the ban comes into effect in April 2022.
In-person police enforcement, expanding a safe-crossings program and traffic-calming infrastructure were possibilities, she said.
Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said he still needs to review the new rules, but he believes most Edmontonians still want photo radar in the city.
"At the end of the day we want our kids and our community to feel safe, and that's why we use this tool," Sohi said.
Knack said the city has data that proves its efforts to improve road safety, including using photo radar in neighbourhoods, are working.
"There has been a measurable change in people's safety on our streets over the years because of all of the tools we've been using," he said, adding he's happy the province is promising to use a data-based approach going forward.
Photo radar generated about $100 million in Edmonton in 2020. The city and the province split that revenue with some of it then directed to policing and victims services.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.