Council sends the red light pilot project decision back to administration.
In what ended up being a nearly two hour debate Monday night eight elected members voted to send city staff back out to gather more public feedback on installing red light cameras at ten intersections.
If implemented, sensors and cameras would detect approaching vehicles and their speed. If a vehicle is recorded at a certain speed their information is collected, photos are taken and a ticket is issued to the owner of the vehicle.
At Large Councillor Mark Bentz wasn’t comfortable supporting the motion.
“I have a problem with fining people to make improvements,” Bentz exclaims. “I think some of the people running the red lights are just simply frustrated with being stopped at every single intersection they encounter. If we want to call ourselves a smart city then let’s synchronize our traffic system.”
The discussion first started back in January 2020 when council directed administration to find the best intersections for red lights.
Administration reported back Monday night that there were a total of 24,924 vehicle accidents in Thunder Bay between 2008 and 2018, with 6,727 of the collisions occurring at traffic signal controlled intersections.
Officials also indicated that communities who have implemented cameras at traffic lights have seen a 25% reduction in right angle collisions.
Current River Ward councillor Andrew Foulds, who voted against referral, wasn’t buying the frustration argument.
“The investment is being made by people who are breaking the law!” Foulds said. “I’m not entirely sure we can pick and choose the laws that we want to follow at any given time just because we’re frustrated. The rules are there for a reason.”
What’s the cost?
The $875,000 cost estimate is based on costs from participating municipalities and existing fees
Northwood Councillor Shelby Ch’ng also wanted the decision to be made Monday night.
“I don’t see the value in always kicking these type of things back to further public consultation,” Ch’ng stressed to council. “I don’t know anyone who would say yes to the question ‘if you run a red light, do you want to be ticketed?’ no one would want a ticket.”
The Traffic Safety Committee and Thunder Bay Police Services has indicated previous support of the implementation of a red light camera program.
Administration is expected to report back to council on this issue at the June 7th meeting as the goal is to have an application in with the Ministry of Transportation by July in order to have the program in place for 2022.
