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
'Of course, yes': Poland latest European country with interest in Canadian LNG
The President of Poland says his country would 'of course' be interested in purchasing Canadian liquefied natural gas if it were available, while the Canadian federal government has said it is 'not interested' in subsidizing future projects.
Have you heard the one about Trump? Biden tries humour on the campaign trail
U.S. President Joe Biden is out to win votes by scoring some laughs at the expense of Donald Trump, unleashing mockery with the goal of getting under the former president's thin skin and reminding the country of his blunders.
Britney Spears settles long-running legal dispute with estranged father, finally bringing ultimate end to conservatorship
Britney Spears has reached a settlement with her estranged father more than two years after the court-ordered termination of a conservatorship that had given him control of her life, their attorneys said.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Kitchener family says their 10-year-old needs life-saving drug that cost $600,000
Raneem, 10, lives with a neurological condition and liver disease and needs Cholbam, a medication, for a longer and healthier life.
'Do not consume': Gift Chocolate recalled due to undeclared milk, soy
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall for a specific chocolate brand sold in Ontario and Quebec.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Murder charge laid after man falls to death from Toronto apartment balcony
One person has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of a man who fell from a balcony following an altercation inside a Toronto apartment building.