Barrie could join a growing number of Ontario municipalities that use red light cameras as another way to enhance safety on city streets.
On Wednesday, city councillors gave final approval to a motion that city staff investigate the feasibility of installing red light cameras in Barrie, identify the characteristics of an intersection that best supports red light cameras, and then identify the top locations on city streets.
"People are sick and tired of fearing for their lives in the cross-intersection," Coun. Sergio Morales told Barrie 360. "Nobody wants this, but we're at the point we need to have it."
Morales says he is constantly hearing from residents and even community stakeholders that red light cameras are something whose time has come in Barrie.
"When the subject came up in 2016-17, I had been publicly opposed to red light cameras, but the reality has changed in Barrie and we have to change with it."
The cost of installing and maintaining the red light cameras doesn't come with a blank cheque, though Morales says that's not the point.
"I am not at all concerned about the cost of red light cameras when weighed out to the benefit of saving lives of people."
Morales expects a recommendation for at least a dozen cameras, noting some people will want more and different locations for the cameras.
He states that the potential revenue coming into city coffers from tickets issued to red light runners isn't the motivator.
"The motivator for this is keeping people safe."
Red light cameras are an automated system that takes pictures of vehicles that enter the intersection against a red signal. Photographs are not taken when vehicles enter the intersection on a yellow light.
An offence caught on camera is ticketed to the owner of the vehicle.
The fine set under the Provincial Offences Act is $325. It includes a $60 victim surcharge fee that the Ministry of the Attorney General uses to fund programs that assist victims of crime.
Municipalities with red light cameras must disclose publicly which intersections have them.
Morales expects a staff report to council about red light cameras in about six to nine months.
