Editor: I think we critics of photo radar are going about it in the wrong way, so I’ll start with two comments.
Citizens in several Canadian cities have successfully organized to petition local politicians to kill photo radar in their community – there is data on this which can be shared on the local Facebook page and if a group wants to get together, I will be first in line.
I did research these cities a few years ago, and this included media stories, etc. so I encourage anyone keen enough and with the time to pursue it, to research and post this on the renegade Facebook page (Canmore Photo Radar) dedicated to this issue. Perhaps in fall speakers can be invited to visit Canmore to share their success stories in eliminating photo radar.
Until we eliminate photo radar, we may be able to ease the pain by a strong letter writing campaign or petition to council to increase outdated, low speed limits on roads. Several specific roads can accommodate higher speed limits and still be very safe. There are only four or five areas in town where increased speed limits are badly needed due to traffic flow, road engineering, complete lack of pedestrian traffic, or to simply lessen driver frustration. The 50 km/h speed limit in the vast majority of locations is perfect; however limit changes are warranted in several specific areas.
Increase from 50 to 60 km/h west from McDonalds and continuing on the overpass as well as continuing along Palliser Trail to the Benchlands overpass.
Increase from 30 to 40 km/h for the Bow River bridge; I don’t think this has changed even with the addition of the pedestrian bridge, at which point the 30 km/h should have been eliminated, but 30 km/h is a crawl and 40 km/h is at least a reasonable compromise.
Increase the ridiculous 50 km/h on the entire Three Sisters Drive to 70 km/h – this is a provincial highway. This may take council’s recommendation to the province to change it. Regardless of speed limits, this extensive road should also be lit with affordable (e.g. solar or motion sensor) lighting where specific wildlife traffic is known to be high. But daytime driving speeds really need to increase here.
And finally, a favourite old statistic that goes something like … 10 per cent of accidents are caused by speeding drivers – that means that 90 per cent are caused by non-speeding drivers. Just watch your stats.
How many motor-pedestrian incidents were there in the pre- and post-radar days at the specific radar locations – this question has apparently been asked of council. Police and radar contractor reports routinely go to council. Surely a number cruncher (or researcher for the first suggestion above) can shed some light on this. Timing is critical so that the next contract period is not awarded to the guys with the photo guns.
Council – time to update speed limits in at least three areas, if this indeed is not a cash grab.
B. Goeres,
Canmore
