Cyclists support photo radar and red light cameras for Ottawa-Carleton

For immediate release: 1995 October 4

"Photo radar and red light cameras will help control aggressive motorists and make our streets safer for cyclists and pedestrians, and especially children," according to Citizens for Safe Cycling (CfSC) president Brett Delmage.

At its meeting at 1:30 pm today, Regional Transportation Committee will receive a report from the Regional Police Services Board that recommends that Ottawa-Carleton obtain permission from the province to enforce traffic laws by photo radar. The report also recommends that the Region keep the revenue generated by the fines. The radar devices would be aimed at two types of aggressive drivers — those who exceed speed limits and those who run red lights. CfSC supports the proposal by the police to use this law enforcement tool, which has proven effective in other Canadian cities.

"Careless drivers" is the biggest problem for commuter cyclists in this region, according to a telephone survey of residents about cycling issues sponsored by the Region in 1991. Delmage, who is a defensive cycling instructor, said that motorists who speed and run red lights put all road users — including cyclists — at risk.

"Children are particularly endangered because they don't yet have the experience to judge traffic speed. Which is more important here: to let a few people shave a few seconds off their travel times, or to make sure that no innocent road user gets injured or killed because he or she didn't see a motorist jumping a red light or racing down the street?"

Although "red light cameras" cannot detect cyclists who run red lights, CfSC believes that the law should be fairly enforced against both motorists and cyclists. "Police resources freed from ticketing motorists could be reallocated to enforcing safe cycling behaviour. For example, enforcing the use of proper lights and reflectors at night would actually save cyclists' lives," Delmage said.

"The Regional Transportation Department spends $1 million each year on its ‘Safety Improvement' and ‘Intersection Modification' programs to modify streets and intersections so they accommodate careless driving that's causing crashes. Photo radar and red light cameras are a proven, cost-effective method of dealing with the aggressive motoring that's actually causing the crashes and collisions. Cyclists look forward to its arrival in this region," said Delmage.

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Contact: Brett Delmage, Citizens for Safe Cycling President 722-4454

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