Toronto to begin ticketing where speed cameras have been installed

Mayor John Tory says, as of July 6th, drivers caught by the city's 50 automated speed enforcement cameras can expect to be ticketed. The phase in which drivers were merely issued warnings will come to an end, says the mayor.

By News staff

The City of Toronto will begin ticketing drivers who are speeding in the 50 locations where Automatic Speed Enforcement cameras have been installed.

The cameras originally went up at the end of January and were up for a 90-day trial period in which only warnings were sent out. Due to the pandemic, instead of starting ticketing after the 90-day period, it was delayed.

The trial period is mandated by the provincial government before speed cameras can be used.

Starting on July 6, anyone caught going over the speed limit in the 50 locations will be ticketed. Each ward in Toronto has two cameras.

An image of the license plate will be captured and stored and if an offence is confirmed, a ticket will be mailed to who the license plate is registered too, regardless of who is driving.

Signage has been installed so motorists are aware they are in use and there will be ticketing.

No demerit points will be issued because the ticket is issued to the plate holder who may not necessarily be driving the car.

The fines would be:

  • A driver caught speeding between one and 19 kilometres per hour over will receive a fine of five dollars per kilometre over.
  • Between 20 and 29 kilometres per hour over, the fine will be $7.50 per kilometre over.
  • Between 30 and 49 kilometres per hour over, the fine will be $12 per kilometre over.
  • For over 50 kilometres per hour, a summons will be issued to the registered vehicle to set the fine.

 

Mayor John Tory said there is a need for these cameras because people have been speeding in the spots where the cameras are already installed.

During the trial period in February and March, Transportation Services sent out more than 25,000 warning letters to drivers who had been caught speeding by the cameras, outlining the risks of speeding and encouraging them to change their behaviour.

Tory also gave a few examples of extreme speeders, including one driver going 163 kilometres per hour on Jameson Avenue where the speed limit is 40 kilometres per hour and another going 152 kilometres per hour in a 40 kilometres per hour zone along Renforth Drive.

There were also nine locations singled out where more than 142,000 vehicles were caught speeding between Jan. 27 and June 18.

He added these cameras are critical because many are in and around school zones.

“The days of warning letters have come to an end,” said Tory.

He added since the pandemic began they have seen a sharp decline in the number of cars on the road, but a spike in speeding and stunt driving.

Between March 23 and April 27, Toronto police saw an increase of 600 per cent in stunt driving charges.

The speed cameras are apart of the city’s Vision Zero program to reduce traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries on Toronto roadways.

Watch the mayor’s full announcement below.

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