Ticketed and ticked off: Barrie speed cameras reduce speeders, but drivers aren't impressed
It's been over three months since the automated speed enforcement cameras in Barrie were installed, and so far, the city says they've seen a significant speed reduction.
"Driver speeds definitely when the cameras were in operation were definitely on average 12 or 13 kilometres an hour slower," says Michelle Banfield, City of Barrie development services executive director.
Cameras were initially set up in community safety zone locations at Big Bay Point Road and Anne Street.
On Big Bay Point Road, 58,258 violations were recorded on camera, and 4,563 tickets were issued.
On Anne Street, 35,674 violations were recorded on camera, and 4,677 tickets were issued.
The city has not disclosed the speed threshold for receiving a ticket.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
"We've always said that the actual threshold is never been something that we would publish in terms of, any more than a police officer would tell you how much they would stop someone for. So ultimately, the goal is to have people go as close to the speed limit as possible," says Banfield.
The speed cameras were moved to Essa Road and Ardagh Road at the end of February.
Not all drivers are happy with the program setup.
"There was absolutely no flashing lights to indicate to me that I was driving down Big Bay during school hours," says Stayner resident Sarah Bell.
Bell received a ticket in the mail for $205. The ticket says she travelled 62/km an hour at 3:44 p.m. The school zone hours end at 3:45 p.m.
"I was within that last one minute or maybe even, who knows, 20 seconds before the cameras would turn off," says Bell.
Bell says she plans to fight the ticket and feels the signage is confusing.
"When you're driving down the road, for it to state at the school hours in the way that it does on so many different lines, it's impossible to actually read," Bell shares.
The city's website states that the flashing lights used to warn of a 40-kilometre-an-hour zone must be covered when the cameras are active, so a sign is used to show the different limits at different times.
The speed cameras will stay at their current locations on Essa Road and Ardagh Road until the end of April when the council will decide where to move them next.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.