City Councillor Chris Stephan was the only one to vote against a second photo radar vehicle because he wondered what the community’s position was and whether they had ever been surveyed on this.
“Without that information, I have a hard time increasing photo radar — with the possibility that the majority of our residents are opposed,” he said.
“It should have been done before the first photo radar van as well.”
As a councillor, you and the rest of the administration have a responsibility to do what is right for our community. This often involves making unpopular decisions.
Photo radar only catches offenders, so if you and I behave ourselves, we are ignored. If you talk to any police officer, you will learn that speed is often a factor in collisions.
I see the current photo radar truck near the Normandeau School quite regularly, so obviously the offence rate there is significant.
It would be safe to say that some residents would be opposed to any degree of enforcement.
Statistics are not given but I would make several assumptions: There are repeat offenders who have been charged more than once and I suspect these are the ones who have not paid up their fines. Also, there is a percentage of rural residents ignoring our speed limits. It has been my personal experience that very few offences are the first ones and that repeat drivers have quite a few charges.
I like photo radar. I feel safer knowing an unemotional grey box is protecting me 24/7.
A question. Have you had your picture taken?
Steve Lenaghan
Red Deer