Photo radar long way off for city

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This article was published 27/06/2022 (1424 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brandon City Council voted to ask the province for the ability to use photo radar and traffic cameras within city limits, but the decision could still be years away.

City councillors voted to ask the provincial government to make the change to the Highway Traffic Act on June 20, during council’s most recent meeting, but voted down a motion to install the technology as soon as the city gets permission.

Coun. Bruce Luebke (South Centre), who first put the idea to use “image capturing enforcement systems” on council’s agenda in late 2021, also put forward the motion on June 20 for the city to implement the technology once legislation allows for it.

He compared it to if one police service had the ability to carry firearms, but others didn’t.

“Automated traffic enforcement is just one tool we can use to encourage safe driving in Brandon,” he said at the meeting, adding it would encourage people to slow down without police taking time away from other concerns.

“It’s difficult for police to enforce red light and speed infractions at intersections because the police must follow offenders through the intersection … This can endanger other motorists, cyclists, pedestrians as well as the officers.”

Currently, traffic cameras are only allowed to be used in Winnipeg under provincial legislation.

It’s not about a cash grab, said Coun. Kris Desjarlais (Rosser), but about the safety of Brandonites.

“We aren’t as safe as other residents in other municipalities because we don’t have that photo radar,” he said.

A possible location for photo radar is near the crosswalks on 18th Street across from Brandon University, where some drivers don’t stop for pedestrians trying to cross the busy stretch of road, Desjarlais said.

But not all were in favour of implementing photo radar once legislation allows for it. Mayor Rick Chrest said it’s a complicated issue, and the automatic tickets would have a bigger impact on less affluent people.

“Traffic safety is a huge consideration — but I hate to say this — it’s not the most pressing issue that Brandon Police Service has right now. On a continuum of difficulties that we have in our community, traffic safety is one of them. It’s not the highest priority at the moment,” he said, adding it could provide more complications for BPS.

It’s also not certain a community of Brandon’s size could see a profit off implementing photo radar, he said.

Coun. Jeff Fawcett (Assiniboine) said he would support having the ability to use photo radar in the city’s “back pocket.”

Other councillors said there was still uncertainty over the specifics of any future program and the potential costs involved.

Council voted against Luebke’s motion for the city to start using photo radar as soon as legislation allows, but voted in favour of asking the province to give the city the ability to use it if needed.

Once the ask is made, the technology won’t be showing up on city streets the next day, Luebke said. He estimated it could be up to two years before the change to the legislation happens — if at all.

The time before the province makes a decision will also allow the city to learn more about the technology, Chrest said.

Speaking to the Sun on Thursday, Luebke said actually implementing photo radar in Brandon will likely be an issue for the next council after municipal elections in the fall.

Luebke said he felt good about having the idea past the first hurdle and said he understands the hesitancy of some of his council colleagues.

“I’m honestly just happy we’re going to approach the province and get them to change it. I don’t expect it’s going to happen in a short period of time. If it’s shorter than 18 to 24 months, that would be fantastic,” he said.

Photo radar could also be part of Vision Zero, the goal to prevent all deaths on Manitoba roadways, he said. Approximately 100 Manitobans die on the road each year, according to Manitoba Public Insurance.

» dmay@brandonsun.com

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