Toronto has bid farewell to its speed cameras, without the drama of vandalism or police investigations. The cameras were removed by the vendor at the end of November, marking the end of Premier Doug Ford’s opposition to the cameras, which he criticized as a “cash grab.”
The removal of the cameras came after a tragic incident where a couple, Valdemar Avila, 71, and Fatima Avila, 69, were involved in a fatal crash caused by a speeding driver. The city responded by reducing the speed limit and installing a speed camera, which issued thousands of tickets in the following months.
Despite efforts to improve road safety and the effectiveness of speed cameras, opposition to the cameras grew. Vandalism incidents increased, and Mayor Olivia Chow resisted calls to remove the cameras. Eventually, Premier Ford supported the removal of the speed cameras, and within three months, they were taken down.
Despite evidence showing the effectiveness of speed cameras, the province introduced legislation to end the speed camera programs. However, critics argued that physical infrastructure like speed bumps may not be as effective in certain areas. Despite opposition from city officials, experts, and law enforcement, the decision to remove the speed cameras was finalized.
As the debate continues, the company that supplied Toronto’s speed cameras announced its exit from Ontario, emphasizing the proven effectiveness of speed cameras in enhancing road safety.