COUNCILLOR HOPES PHOTO RADAR SUCCESS CONTINUES ON ELGIN

REGION EXPECTS SPEED REDUCTION OF 9 PER CENT IN FRONT OF ELGIN STREET PUBLIC SCHOOL

Hit them in the wallet. Cambridge Coun. Nicholas Ermeta said that may by the most effective way to get drivers to "clue in" and adjust their driving habits in school zones.

That's why the Ward 8 representative is eagerly anticipating the next step in the region's Automated

Speed Enforcement (ASE) program — essentially photo radar — in north Galt, as it's "very notorious for speeding and something had to be done."

"It is certainly better to hit a bad driver in the pocketbook than heaven forbid a child get hit by a car," Ermeta said.

In September 2021, the region

launched the first phase of its ASE, installing photo radar outside eight schools throughout the region, including one in front of St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School on Guelph Avenue in Hespeler.

Eight more schools were added in phase 2, with five currently ready for enforcement. The next Cambridge location, outside Elgin Street Public School, will be active before the end of June, according to region staff.

Staff noted, from October 2021 to March 2022, a total of 2,673 tickets were issued through the sites in operation for a reported net revenue of $93,463. That falls in line with the anticipated revenue of $200,000 a year.

Region staff was unable to give a breakdown for just the Cambridge location.

"Optimizing safety in school zones throughout the region is our primary focus," said Bob Henderson, the region's manager of transportation engineering.

"Our main objective of the Automated Speed Enforcement program is to reduce speed in school zones to increase safety for kids travelling to and from school."

Henderson noted the ASE is working exactly as planned. A

report to regional council stated overall speeds have reduced compared to speeds before the introduction of ASE.

Though results at locations vary, speed reductions have ranged from 1 km/h, or two per cent, to 9 km/h, or 15 per cent, with an overall average reduction

of 5 km/h, or nine per cent. The average speed tracked in school zones before the ASE was 52 km/h and 47 km/h after.

The report also stated rural school zones have in general seen more speed reductions.

Photo radar is currently in place in North Dumfries at Cedar

Creek Public School on Hilltop Drive and St. Brigid Catholic Elementary School on Broom Street.

Henderson said the ASE on Elgin Street will be just as effective.

"The region anticipates that the Elgin Street site will reduce driver speeds in that area by approximately 5 km/h or nine per cent, in line with the overall ASE program," said Henderson.

To date, the ASE program has cost $459,500, with a total budget of $664,000. However, it is anticipated another $95,000 will be needed on top of the $205,000 remaining to pay for the program. A report stated it is due to "an unanticipated need" to hire an electrical contractor to facilitate the hydro service connections. The anticipated annual operating cost is $140,000.

While Ermeta is pleased to see the second ASE coming into effect, something he said he fought for, he'd like to see more in his ward. He said Saginaw Parkway would be perfect for the ASE program with five schools from Franklin Boulevard to Townline Road.

"The children are top of my mind," he said, adding, "I also believe the city should strongly consider installing speed bumps at stop signs on the collector roads to prevent rolling stops from occurring.

"Ayr has done this in some areas, and I believe it's a neat concept."

STORY BEHIND THE STORY: With the implementation of photo radar coming in front of Elgin Street Public School, the Times wanted to explore what the first phase of the project has done in the region.