Photo radar should be recognized as a road tax for those who wish to exceed the speed limit.
Personally, I am opposed to it not so much for what it does but for what it fails to do. For one, it fails to reduce accidents. There is no credible evidence to show that photo radar reduces collisions. There are several studies that prove accidents are reduced if a police officer stops a vehicle for a traffic violation.
Second, it keeps bad drivers on the road. For individuals where time is money it may be worth it. Radar tickets are a cost of doing business. For the affluent it is a minor annoyance. Losing one’s licence due to points would not be minor.
Third, it fines the owner, not the driver.
Fourth, it provides politicians an easy, lucrative answer to the problem of speeding. Unfortunately, by directing our energy this way we fail to address the real problem. Consider Edmonton, which has a very high usage of photo radar yet has the worse pro rata accident record in the country.
I would like to see our officers stopping vehicles for traffic violations but not only speeding. Most accidents I have witnessed have had to do with lack of attention or impatience. Tickets are not always necessary; sometimes a warning will do better in the long run and promotes a positive relationship.
Wayne Richardson, St. Albert
