Red Light Cameras

When red light cameras were introduced in Hamilton they were controversial.  Hearkening back to the horrors of photo radar many greeted these new machines with skepticism.  Most felt they were simply being installed as a source of revenue generation.  Others feared they could even make the streets less safe with an increase in rear end collisions.  Some US cities were cited for monkeying with their systems in order to shorten yellow lights and entrap drivers forcing them to pay when driving through a yellow light that was previously legal.

Years later, the pilot project in Hamilton is complete.  The results are in, and it appears red light cameras have made our streets are safer!  The program is even being extended throughout the city to other problem intersections.  Its hard to argue with anyone who gets nailed with a red light ticket.  If you don’t want a ticket, don’t run a red light.  While rear end collisions increased 10% the more serious right angled collections dropped by 41%.  I’d call that a success!

While rear end collisions increased 10% the more serious right angled collections dropped by 41%.

Where Does The Money Go?

The revenue generated from these red light cameras were dedicated to improving road safety especially for pedestrians and cyclists.  Recently Hamilton kindergarten teacher Jay Keddy was killed on the Claremont access.  This tragedy brought safety issues on the mountain access to the forefront, Council even asked the cycling manager to look at putting bike lanes on at least two accesses.  The cycling manager, claiming over work says he can’t do it during the 2016 year.  What does he need to get the job done?

The money generated by these cameras is earmarked for this problem. So why did staff request $500,000 to be used to perform renovations on a courthouse while ignoring a clear and present danger to cyclists trying to get up and down the mountain?  What pedestrian crossing will be improved by doing this?  How many kilometers of cycling infrastructure will be added?  How many sidewalks will be installed along Rymal or other high traffic roads that have no sidewalks?

Why did staff request $500,000 to be used to perform renovations on a courthouse while ignoring a clear and present danger to cyclists…

The answer is none.  Not a single one.  Instead that money will be used to fix a building for staff to work out of.  Do I begrudge the renovation?  No.  Does it need to be done?  According to staff, yes, yes it does.  But that’s not the point.

We are being told the resources aren’t there to build even one cycling lane to connect residents on the mountain with the lower city.  So instead, every day, people take their lives in their hands, and cycle down alongside traffic moving at over 70 km/hour.

…every day, people take their lives in their hands, and cycle down alongside traffic moving at over 70 km/hour.

This decision was just plain wrong.

A year from now, not a single person will stand up and say: “Thank goodness we fixed the courthouse and left the Hamilton mountain accesses without a safe cycling lane.”  But I fear we might look back at another injury, or even death on this very dangerous stretch of road.

A memorial for Jay Keddy who was killed travelling on the Claremont Access in early December. From CBC Hamilton