Guelph's automated enforcement camera results show success in slowing drivers down
Eight automated speed enforcement cameras placed in designated school zones around Guelph last August had the desired effect of slowing people down.
Steve Anderson, the city's manager of transportation engineering, says it turns out: "Drivers don't like getting speeding tickets."
The city has released a new report looking at the number of people caught speeding near the cameras, which are part of Guelph's Vision Zero strategy to reduce the number of people killed and/or seriously injured on roadways.
Anderson says prior to installing them, the city collected data which showed on average, vehicles were traveling 42 km/h in the school zones. After the cameras were live, drivers slowed down to an average of 33 km/hr.
The three biggest decreases in driver speed seen were:
A 15 km/h reduction on Stephanie Drive near Taylor Evans Public School.
A 10 km/h reduction on Colonial Drive near St. Ignatius of Loyola School.
A 10 km/h reduction on Ironwood Road near Fred A. Hamilton Public School.
The camera near Taylor Evans Public School also resulted in a higher number of drivers complying with the posted speed limit of 30 km/h. Before the cameras were installed, just seven per cent of drivers drove at the speed limit. While the camera were in place, 52 per cent did.
The average vehicle speed before and after camera installation. (City of Guelph website )
He said people getting tickets shortly after being caught by the cameras seems to have led to change.
"That seems to be the mechanism that has really prompted this driver behaviour change," he said.
Speed limits in Guelph school zones were lowered to 30 km/hr in 2014 but the new speed is now enforced 24/7.
The average price of a speeding ticket from the new camera is roughly $75 but changes on a case-to-case basis.
"It varies depending on how fast you're going. Unlike a red light camera ticket, which is another automated program that we have, which is the same fine every time," Anderson said.
Cameras 'fantastic,' advocate says
Mike Darmon is the chair of advocacy with the Guelph Coalition for Active Transportation and welcomed the results of the city's report. He says the cameras are slowing people down, which is needed.
"I think they're fantastic. I think what's happened in the city of Guelph in particular and probably most cities now is that most of our streets have been designed for the car to get from point A to B as fast as possible. I think everybody's just started to speed more and more and there's very little police enforcement, so people know they can get away with it most of the time," Darmon said.
"I think they're excellent because really our most vulnerable street users are kids and these speed enforcement cameras are obviously designed to bring the speed down to a safer level where you can actually survive a crash with a car."
Cameras on the move
Since last August, the cameras have been moved and will continue to be moved to different school zones every three months.
The four cameras installed on May 1 are:
McCann Street near École Arbour Vista Public School.
Lee Street near William C Winegard Public School.
Dublin Street N. near Central Public School.
June Avenue near June Avenue Public School.
In August 1, four cameras are expected to be installed at:
Knightswood Boulevard near Resurrection Christian Academy School.
Huron Street near Sacred Heart Catholic School.
Gateway Drive near Gateway Drive Public School.
Youngman Drive near Jean Little Public School.
Anderson said the city eventually plans to have cameras in all elementary school zones within the city.
"We are planning to bring information to council in 2025 about a possible expansion of the program that may include aspects outside of just school zones." he said.
