Police chief no longer expecting provincial photo-radar system review

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This article was published 04/12/2022 (751 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A provincial review of photo-radar traffic enforcement may not happen at all, amid warnings the current program’s outdated technology is at risk of failure.

In 2019, the Manitoba government announced it would review the program to determine whether or not it makes streets safer.

Three years later, Winnipeg Police Service Chief Danny Smyth said the review is no longer expected.

“My last indication was they don’t plan on doing a review right now, so there’s been no movement in that area,” Smyth told media Friday.

Smyth said he had hoped the province’s assessment could clear the way to upgrade the enforcement system, since legislation from 2002 restricts the program to very specific intersection safety-camera systems that have become outdated.

He said the system relies on coils placed underneath roadways, which are expensive to implement and are no longer supported by other technology.

“So it’s slowly, but surely, deteriorating. There are much more sophisticated above-ground camera systems that would be able to do (the job) but we just don’t have the ability to upgrade,” said Smyth.

The program that raises millions of dollars for the Winnipeg Police Service each year has been controversial, with some critics dismissing it as a cash-grab. However, Smyth said it makes roads safer.

“Speed kills. Many of our fatalities and collisions are a result of speed. Automated enforcement is a good way of enforcing speed (limits),” he said.

There are 49 intersection safety cameras located across Winnipeg, while 10 separate mobile photo-enforcement units are regularly set up near schools, playgrounds and construction zones.

Photo enforcement typically makes up a significant portion of WPS revenue and was expected — when the city’s 2022 budget was approved — to raise $15.4 million this year. A recent financial update reduced the expect amount to $10.3 million by the end of this year, partly due to the absence of suitable construction sites to place mobile units.

In a brief emailed statement, a provincial spokeswoman did not directly answer whether the photo-radar review has been permanently cancelled, noting the government is “currently reviewing next steps.”

The statement identifies the pandemic as being an obstacle to getting the review done.

“In November 2019, government committed to hiring a consultant to review photo enforcement and produce a report. A request for proposals was issued; however, before the consulting contract could be awarded, the COVID-19 pandemic started,” the statement said.

It added that Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure is exploring options for photo enforcement in the province, including what other jurisdictions are doing, “for future consideration.”

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga