A week after our most recent public works meeting approving the use of red light cameras, I was driving home around the dinner hour and caught my self reflecting on whether or not were right for Niagara? Do we really need these in our communities? It didn’t take long to have my answer.

Nearly two minutes later a car flew by me going at least 30 kilometres over the limit, weaving back and forth between lanes. A mere ten minutes later, another car completely blew through a stop sign. It seems there’s no shortage of drivers out there willing to ignore the rules of the road.

Road safety has been one of the most important issues brought up in discussions with my constituents. Last term Niagara Region approved participation in the Vision Zero program, a multi-national program that aims to reduce fatalities and serious injuries involving road traffic. We’ve already approved a number of community safety zones across Niagara that will be set up with photo radar. This technology will be implemented on roads with speed limits under 80 km/hr that are close to schools later in the year. Pelham, unfortunately, was not on the initial community safety zone list. But as the program expands, we’ll most likely be added to the list.

Click here for the camera locations and to continue reading.