Toronto, Ontario — The Ontario Traffic Council (OTC) announced today its support of Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) implementation in the province with its launch of Driving Safer Communities—the council’s campaign aimed to raise awareness of these new speed compliance systems.
“Despite speed being a contributing factor in approximately one-third of fatal collisions across Canada, data being collected by municipalities across the province clearly demonstrates that vehicles are continuing to speed,” said Geoff Wilkinson, the executive director of OTC. “On behalf of the OTC, and our members, we wholeheartedly endorse the province’s implementation of ASE, and to further support the program we have launched the Driving Safer Communities campaign to ensure Ontario residents are well informed about this safety tool as a proven method for enforcing the posted speed limits in school zones and community safety zones.”
ASE systems typically utilize cameras and speed measurement devices to enforce speed limits in what the OTC describes as “vulnerable” sectors, including school and community safety zones. Each system is designed to change driver behaviour in these sectors to better facilitate safe driving conditions.
According to the OTC, Toronto, Ottawa, Brampton and the Niagara Region will be the first municipalities in Ontario to implement ASE systems, which could launch province-wide by as early as spring of this year. To promote the installation of ASEs, clear signage will be posted anywhere one is expected to be placed. After this grace period, it will be fair game for the Ontario Ministry of Transportation to issue tickets to any motorist caught speeding in these areas.
“Ultimately, this is about safety and adhering to the posted speed limit is the law,” said Peter Sejrup, the staff sergeant of the Peterborough Police Service and the director of the OTC. “We welcome ASE to Ontario’s school zones and community safety zones as an effective way to improve road user safety.”
