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3h ago

Ford Moves to Ban Municipal Speed Cameras as Data Shows Big Safety Gains

The premier proposes a ban, offering a fund for speed bumps despite studies showing sharp safety gains.

Image
Highway 417 looking east.
Speed-camera signs posted in the Sidney Street Community Safety Zone between College Street and Tracey Street in Belleville to advise people speed cameras are now monitoring local traffic. Cars clocked by the cameras doing more than the 40-km/h speed limit will be photographed and fines issued at a higher cost than normal speeding provisions set by the city. (Derek Baldwin/Postmedia Network)
The driver of this vehicle was caught travelling at 73 km/h an hour over the legal limit.

Overview

  • Doug Ford labeled automated enforcement a "cash grab" and said he will table legislation to prohibit municipal speed cameras across Ontario.
  • He outlined a provincial fund for physical traffic‑calming projects, including speed bumps, raised crosswalks, curb extensions and roundabouts.
  • Belleville reported average speeds fell from 55 km/h to roughly 39–40 km/h over five months after a camera went live, echoing a SickKids study showing 45% fewer speeding vehicles and an 88% drop in 20+ km/h offences in Toronto school zones.
  • Municipal leaders are considering tweaks such as warning letters, grace periods and overnight pauses after some drivers said they only learned about cameras when tickets arrived despite earlier signage.
  • Ford also floated repurposing cameras for crime surveillance, as police maintain traditional enforcement illustrated by Ottawa officers impounding a vehicle clocked at 73 km/h over the limit.