From a pilot project to permanent.
Barre's automated speed enforcement camera system(ASE) is staying put.
City councillors gave initial approval Wednesday night, without discussion.
Council will consider final approval at its June 4 meeting.
The cameras were launched in December 2023, and figures released in a recent staff report show the program has generated more than $1.2 million in revenue, operating costs of $711,000, and a surplus of $535,684.
The city says funds from the surplus will be used to add two new automated speed enforcement cameras, bringing the total to four, and installing a raised intersection at Madelaine Drive and Country Lane.
"Additional funds generated through the program can be used to fund other community safety projects," according to the staff report.
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Staff will be changing the speed-camera rotation schedule from every two months to every six months.
The staff report says the change provides a longer duration of enforcement on the roadways and minimizes staff resources.
"The longer duration in one location reduces downtime from the camera relocation that experiences up to two weeks in delays for lost time due to calibration and set up each time a camera is moved," the report states.
The cameras are located in school or community safety zones.
Barrie has 27 community safety zones. According to the city's website, community safety zones were identified for the ASE program based on data collected that shows areas where drivers regularly go over the posted speed limit.
As of May 21, owners of vehicles caught driving over the speed limit where an ASE camera is operating in the City of Barrie will be issued a “penalty order”, which will be processed through the city’s administrative penalty system.
This is a change from the currently issued “offence notices”, which are processed through the provincial offences court system.
Automated Speed Enforcement: How It Works
Automated Speed Enforcement is a system that uses speed cameras to enforce speed limits. Speed cameras are an affordable way to enforce speed limits, slow down motorists, and improve public safety. If your vehicle is captured by the camera as going over the posted speed limit, here’s what happens:
- The speed camera captures an image that is stored and reviewed by a provincial offences officer.
- The ticket is mailed to the registered plate holder at the address on file with the Province of Ontario.
- Tickets are mailed out within 23 days after the violation occurs.
The City of Barrie’s automated speed enforcement program operates as an Administrative Penalty System as opposed to filing a charge with the Provincial Offences Court, which provides for a less complex but fair and transparent alternative to the court process.
On the city's website, the message is clear: "There is a very simple way to avoid getting a traffic ticket--don't speed."
