Candid Cameras

 

Smile: London Adding Fifteen Red Light Camera

   It was announced about a month ago that London was increasing the number of red light cameras to 25. The purpose is to make our roads safer and statistically a sound case can be made for doing so. 

  At about the same time it was reported that in Washington, D.C., the 477 speed cameras reduced the number of those who were speeding. The money collected from the fines charged is substantial: "The Office of the Chief Financial Officer expects the cameras to bring in more than $1 billion in revenue over the next four fiscal years, though revenue is expected to plateau and then decline as people adjust their driving behaviors."

  Although those living in Washington requested even more cameras, city councillors here should be cautious before they go shopping for more. I vaguely remembered a photo radar issue from years ago and was able to find this related article: "The Politics That Brought Photo Radar to a Halt in Ontario in 1995: Enough Drivers Disapproved of System for PC Party to Promise to Kill It -- Which It Did," CBC, Archives, July 5, 2019. 

"The police liked photo radar, but some drivers in Ontario didn't.

And those disapproving motorists provided the impetus for Premier Mike Harris and his government to scrap its use in the province back in the summer of 1995...

Harris had led the Ontario Progressive Conservatives to a majority win at the polls the previous month, on a platform that included ending the use of photo radar.

And less than a month after that election, the PCs killed it, as they promised to do."

   Although red light and speed cameras achieve the purposes for which they are installed, and even can be profitable, politicians will probably pause a bit before buying any more.

The New Locations:
   The fine for running a red light is $325, so slow down at these locations.
(These are from one of the sources, but they are presented here in alpha order for MM readers.)

Commissioners Road and Wonderland Road South.
Fanshawe Park Road East and Adelaide Street North.
Fanshawe Park Road West and Aldersbrook Gate.
Hamilton Road at Highbury Ave North.
Oxford Street at Richmond Street.
Oxford Street East at Talbot Street.
Richmond Street and Fanshawe Park Road.
Sarnia Road at Wonderland Road North.
Southdale Road West at Wonderland Road South.
Veterans Memorial Parkway and Dundas Street.
Wellington Road South and Exeter Road
Western Road and Sarnia Road.
Wharncliffe Road North and Oxford Street West.
Wharncliffe Road South and Commissioners Road.
Wharncliffe Road South and Southdale Road East.

Sources: 
   "London Is Getting 15 More Red Light Cameras at Most Major Intersections: As Many as Five Drivers Per Day Are Issued a Fine For Running a Red Light in London at Each Camera," CBC News, June 11, 2024.
  "London About to Add 15 Red Light Cameras," Beatriz Baleeiro, London Free Press, June 12, 2024

   "D.C. Traffic Cameras Have Led to a Sharp Decline in Speeding, Data Shows,"
Washington Post, June 16, 2024. 

Toronto the Carbuncle (Update)

Toronto the "Gridlocked Carcass"

   Almost five years ago, I wrote a post with the title at the top. Whenever I chance upon it, I think it a bit harsh. Perhaps not. A better one would be "Toronto the CARbuncle." There is an article in the Globe and Mail today, with the following title, and you should read it: "If Toronto Can't Improve its World-Class Traffic, It Will Decay Into a Gridlocked Carcass," by Andrew Clark. At least Toronto is "world-class" in something.

   Here is the interesting part:

   TomTom, provider of GPS-based navigation systems, analyzed data from more than 600 million in-car navigation systems and smartphones to identify trends in 387 cities across 55 countries throughout 2023.

   TomTom found that Toronto had the third-worst traffic in the world – not in Canada, not in North America, in the world. Only London and Dublin ranked higher. Think of a city with legendarily bad traffic. They all ranked lower (better) than Toronto. Los Angeles (233); New York (20); New Delhi (44); Vancouver (32). It took the average Toronto driver 29 minutes to travel 10 kilometres. Top runners can cover this distance faster. The pace would also be considered slow for most cyclists on a road bike. Drivers in Toronto spent 255 hours a year driving (98 of those caused by congestion). TomTom also offers real-time traffic analysis. As I write this, the average speed in Toronto is 16 kilometres an hour and there are 387 reported traffic jams spanning 371 kilometres.

   There are also other interesting comments. Mr. Clark notes that the transit problem is being ignored while "the mayor and the media squabble about a patch of pavement that is an embarrassing tribute to ugliness."  He solves that problem for them by suggesting new names for Dundas Square, one of which is "William Hogarth Presents". For those who like illustrations, more than words, a link is provided. 

   In the article, this question is raised: "Why should anyone outside Toronto care if no one in the city cares enough to do anything about it?" (The congestion, not "Dundas," who very few, even in Toronto, care about.) The answer to that question is found in "Toronto the Carbuncle."  Those of us who live far outside of Toronto, in either direction, care simply because it stands in the way of those of us who are trying to get somewhere nicer. The only other reason used to be because we were trying to get to Pearson to go somewhere nicer, but no one wants to go there now and not just because of the traffic.

Source: 
  Apart from the article and my post which indicated congestion was a problem at the beginning of this century, see the : TOMTOM Traffic Index.