Getting the message: Photo Radar Working?

Here's more proof there's no such thing as bad press.

Fewer people were caught speeding through construction zones in Winnipeg during the first two months of this work season, and city police believe it's due in part to the well-publicized photo radar ticket controversy earlier this year.

"I think that's been huge," said Sgt. Doug Safioles, the officer in charge of the central traffic unit. "Positive press or negative press, I think it's helped the whole project."

Safioles said more people are aware photo radar vehicles are lurking in marked construction zones so they're slowing down.

'Really good news'

"It's really good news. People are getting the message," he said.

Statistics provided by Winnipeg police yesterday indicate five speeding tickets were issued for every 1,000 vehicles that passed through speed traps in construction zones in April, compared with 65 tickets per 1,000 vehicles in April 2008.

In May police issued four tickets for every 1,000 vehicles, compared with 50 tickets per 1,000 vehicles in May 2008.

Statistics for June are not yet available.

Safioles said he considers the program a success because most people are complying and keeping their speeds below the posted speed limits.

Some people aren't so happy with it.

Safioles said he receives plenty of complaints from people who received tickets or are opposed to the program, which will continue until the construction season ends.

"People are never happy when they get a ticket," Safioles said.

There's one way to avoid it -- don't speed, police said.

Photo radar vehicles and police officers armed with radar guns are stationed in construction zones all over the city, at any time of day, and seven days a week, police said.

Police warned Thursday photo radar vehicles or officers may be deployed to a work zone on McGillivray Boulevard between Waverley Street and Kenaston Boulevard, where speed is reduced to 60 km/h in both directions.

Photo radar vehicles have also been spotted in construction zones on Bishop Grandin Boulevard at the Fort Garry twin bridges project, and Dugald Road east of Lagimodiere Boulevard.

chris.kitching@sunmedia.ca

Okay, so are we "getting the message"?

I'm here to say that the numbers are very misleading. When comparing this year to last are they:

• comparing only photo radar traps during roughly the same hours in both years? That is are they using those speed traps on weekends and evenings?

• comparing the traps under the exact same conditions? That is are the speeds fixed, without the "when workers are present" caveat. That would make a HUGE difference, and is one of the prime issues IMO.

No matter the circumstances the news and controversy surrounding the issue have heightened awareness big time. That is a good thing.

Now we are more aware. So we are slowing down.

Now we KNOW the speed limit is fixed, with or without workers present. So we slow down.

The bozo's that make condescending comments like "we are finally getting it" really don't help matters when they use deceptive statistics such as used here.

I regularly drive down Pembina at Grant, where there's a photo radar trap, and see cars, whole bunches of cars, speed down the street, and all hit the brakes before the camera and then resume their speed afterward.

Those numbers mean sh1t imo.

JTF wrote:I regularly drive down Pembina at Grant, where there's a photo radar trap, and see cars, whole bunches of cars, speed down the street, and all hit the brakes before the camera and then resume their speed afterward.

Those numbers mean sh1t imo.

here's is the scarey thing JTF... the WPS sees that too... and they are using it as an arguement to expand photo radar to be anywhere and everywhere in the city.

Do I have a problem with ticketing speeders? no.

Do I have a problem with ticketing people and having them not instantly knowing they were caught speeding? Yes.

Do I have a problem with them lieing and saying its about safety? Yes.

Exactly.

Another thing that's crazy.

If two or more cars are speeding, the camera won't activate, as it has no reference points, or something. At least that's what I've heard. Adam?

The other thing to consider is the speed limits. Pembina at 60kmh is probably right. But many stretches on many streets have too low posted speeds.

The authorities have determined that speeding fines is a huge cash cow. They are reluctant to increase limits. Safety is not the driver here. It may well have been at one time. Not today.

When they first brought this out everyone screamed entrapment , now they use safety and you say they are lying , Just let off the gas pedal and you need not worry. And if you speed and keep my taxes down Thank You .

Pavolo wrote:When they first brought this out everyone screamed entrapment , now they use safety and you say they are lying , Just let off the gas pedal and you need not worry. And if you speed and keep my taxes down Thank You .

No...it's not entrapment (by definition).
The radar light is not encouraging you to speed in order to trap you.
The government is not posting 60kph signs and having the cameras trigger at 50kph.

But it's also NOT about "safety"...they are lying.

Safety is not about punishment and fines...it's about prevention and protection.

Safety is about warning & education.

IF it was about SAFETY...the signs indicating speeds would be bigger...brighter...more "in your face". The training for drivers would be more intense and comprehensive. The enforcement would be more to educate than to punish...and punishment would be more severe for those who refuse to comply.

IF it was about SAFETY...the requirements the government follows would be stricter...and more clear. There would be no question what's expected, because it would be spelled out clearly and repeated constantly.

No...the camera lights are NOT for SAFETY!!! They are strictly to take advantage of the one vice most people (especially drivers) have...impatience. The people making the rules know that drivers are impatient. Red lights slow you down, speed limits slow you down, school & construction zones slow you down. And impatient people will do whatever they can to rush through any of those areas. Exceed the speed, "beat the red", "see no kids/workers...gun it"....and the government profits from this.

Speed does NOT kill...hitting someone with a car will injure them...the faster that car is going...the more severe the injury...ultimately causing death...but the SPEED did not kill...the car did.

Running a red light does not kill people...running a red light when there are other hazards/people around increase the likelihood that the car will kill.

IF...it was about SAFETY...there would be reasonable and ultimate controls in place.
Speed limits would be reasonable...and enforced consistently.
Construction zones would be signed, and portable speed bumps laid across the road at start and end to indicate where speed must be reduced.
School zones would have permanent speed bumps installed...and clear signage and indicators where the hazards are.

I looked in to getting a speed bump installed. Turns out the city has specific regulations that speed bumps can not be installed on any street that is a bus route.

There are many sections or roadways in River Heights that have speed bumps. And school buses run up and down those streets every day. So I guess the bus routes must be Winnipeg Transit routes.

Speed bumps also slow emergency vehicles.

Our priorities are fricked.