Red light cameras installed at busy Cookstown intersection to increase road safety
With new red light cameras, the town of Innisfil is trying to protect drivers and pedestrians at the intersection of County Road 27 and Highway 89.
"It's one of the busiest intersections in all of Innisfil. It sees the most vehicular traffic. About 18,000 vehicles per day travelling through the intersection," says South Simcoe Police Staff Sargeant Dave Phillips.
According to reports done by the town, the heart of Cookstown has become known for excessive speeds and drivers going through red lights.
"We thought we would just test first, and in one week, from five in the morning until 9 in the evening, we had over 670 red light runners," says Innisfil Mayor Lynn Dollin.
The intersection, which is in a community safety zone with a posted speed limit of 40 km/h, has become a concern for parents and local businesses.
"Obviously, we do have a store here, so we see the traffic come by. One of the things that I've noticed is that cars tend to rush to beat that traffic light, and that's what increases the speed through the town," says Denny Onisto from Wicked Fragrance House.
Jenn Halliday from Halliday House & Co. has similar thoughts.
"Near misses with kids crossing the street on their way to school. Just people crossing the street, kind of nervous about that and then just fender benders and actual accidents," says Halliday.
While Innisfil is also first on the list to join Barrie's automated speed enforcement program, a standard red light camera violation will cost drivers $325.
"It's not about making money. If, IF, we make any money on this program, we are going to put it right back into traffic calming measures within our community. It's about safety and keeping our kids safe," says Dollin.
A ticket from these red light cameras, which will not include demerit points, will be mailed to the registered plate holder after it is reviewed and validated by a provincial offences officer.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian former Olympic snowboarder wanted in Ontario double homicide: DOJ
A Canadian former Olympic snowboarder who is suspected of being the leader of a transnational drug trafficking group that operated in four countries is wanted for allegedly orchestrating the murder of an 'innocent' couple in Ontario in 2023, authorities say.
Ontario school board trustees under fire for $100K religious art purchase on Italy trip
Trustees with an Ontario school board are responding to criticism over a $45,000 trip to Italy, where they purchased more than $100,000 worth of religious statues.
A photographer snorkeled for hours to take this picture
Shane Gross, a Canadian marine conservation photojournalist, has won the title of Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
Tobacco giants would pay out $32.5 billion to provinces, smokers in proposed deal
Three tobacco giants are proposing to pay close to $25 billion to provinces and territories and more than $4 billion to some 100,000 Quebec smokers and their loved ones as part of a corporate restructuring process triggered by a long-running legal battle.
More Trudeau cabinet ministers not running for re-election, sources say shuffle expected soon
Federal cabinet ministers Filomena Tassi, Carla Qualtrough and Dan Vandal announced Thursday they will not run for re-election. Senior government sources tell CTV News at least one other, Marie-Claude Bibeau, doesn't plan to run again, setting the stage for Justin Trudeau to shuffle his cabinet in the coming weeks.
Robert Pickton's handwritten book seized after his death in hopes of uncovering new evidence
A handwritten book was seized from B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton's prison cell following his death earlier this year, raising hopes of uncovering new evidence in a series of unprosecuted murders.
Former members of One Direction say they're 'completely devastated' by Liam Payne's death
The former members of English boy band One Direction reacted publicly to the sudden death of their bandmate, Liam Payne, for the first time on Thursday, saying in a joint statement that they're 'completely devastated.'
Israel says it has killed top Hamas leader Yayha Sinwar in Gaza
Israeli forces in Gaza killed top Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, a chief architect of last year's attack on Israel that sparked the war, the military said Thursday. Troops appeared to have run across him unknowingly in a battle, only to discover afterwards that a body in the rubble was Israel's most wanted man.
Indian government employee charged in foiled murder-for-hire plot in New York City
The U.S. Justice Department announced criminal charges Thursday against an Indian government employee in connection with a foiled plot to kill a Sikh separatist leader living in New York City.