Hello Coun. Hughes (and others),
Let me introduce myself. My name is Mike, I am a 34-year-old father of three, and have lived in St. Albert for the last 13 years. I am a professional mechanic, most recently becoming a garage foreman for one of the city of Edmonton's fleet shops. I had the experience of working at one facility responsible for performing mechanical inspections on accident vehicles. I have seen first hand the death and destruction that comes with speeding. I even have a private album of a lot of the exceptional situations.
I am emailing you in response to an article printed in the Gazette discussing banning of hidden radar. Here are some of my major points:
• It is safe to say anyone ever pulled over by an officer never saw the cop coming. Posting extra warning signs, especially for hours of operation is ludicrous! That's like saying when the police are on traffic patrol for speeders that they should do so with lights and sirens on at all times. They would never catch anyone because everyone sees it coming.
• I think it's safe to say the only people angry about the "cash grab" idea are people getting caught by it. My first year after high school, I got pulled over twice and received three photo radar tickets that year. After adding up those fines, I learned it was more economical – and safer – to drive responsibly. I love having cheap insurance because of my spotless record for the last 10+ years.
• Not only should we keep it, but I think we should implement a graduated system for chronic speeders. For example, do a three-tier system. Let's say everyone starts at step 1. Step two would begin at three or more infractions in a year pay. Those people would then pay 20 per cent more than the standard fine. Step three kicks in at six or more infractions in a fiscal year. Those people pay 50 per cent to 100 per cent more than the standard fine.
I think this would be more of a deterrent. This helps fund photo operations, and saves police for more vital police work. I always welcome extra policing at the forefront, but that's more tax dollars. Why should I as a tax-paying responsible driver have to pay for more police when hidden radar operations are so much more affordable and targets the problem?
I realize this is a sensitive public relations issue for you as a councillor, but take away this source of revenue and make up for it in higher property taxes to make up for it in an already typically higher taxed community, then the public relations issues will be a nightmare.
I could go on and on about this, likely finding a counter for any argument to get rid of any photo radar. The thing is, this is a service that does good in a way we will never know about, in the form of prevented accidents due to excessive speed. I hope you and everyone else can read this with an open mind. The fact is simple, if you don't speed, you got nothing to worry about. Thank you for your time. Feel free to contact with any such response.
Mikey Mandryk, St. Albert
