Council approves locations for future Automated Speed Cameras
At the Council Meeting in June, Penetanguishene Council continued to progress towards their goal of making Penetanguishene streets even safer by approving four (4) locations that will be part of the Town’s Automated Speed Enforcement Program (ASE). Once approved by the Ministry of Transportation, the program is expected to launch in the fall of 2025.
“Keeping Penetanguishene safe is always top of mind and that includes reducing speeds on Town roadways, especially in school zones. The automated speed enforcement program will help educate the community on reducing speeds while helping keep the community safe.” says Mayor Doug Rawson. “This program has been implemented throughout different municipalities across the Province and has proven to reduce speed. I have no doubt it will do the same in Penetanguishene all while helping Council achieve the goal of a safer community.”
The implementation of ASE builds on the goal of improving community wellbeing and the promotion of active transportation as outlined within the Community Based Strategic Plan.
In Ontario, all speed cameras must be placed in community safety zones or school zones. A community safety zone or school zone is designated by Council through a by-law and is an area that has an increased risk to pedestrians. Traffic-related offences committed within the zone are subject to increased fines.
Automated Speed Enforcement Cameras will be placed in the following 4 locations in the fall of 2025.
- Robert Street West (Owen Street to Lafontaine Road);
- Bellisle Road (Poyntz Street to Thompsons Road)
- Church Street (Fox Street to Navy Lane)
- Fox Street (Church Street to Broad Street)
Signage will be posted 90 days prior to the cameras being activated to indicate to drivers that Municipal Speed Cameras will be “coming soon” to the area. Once the cameras are activated, signage in the area will be updated to inform drivers that cameras are now in use.
Why is Penetanguishene implementing automated speed enforcement in Town?
Higher speeds lead to higher injury severity in a collision. Fatal collision statistics show that more than 30 per cent of all fatal collisions were related to speeding.
Automated speed enforcement is a cost-effective and efficient tool that supplements the work Ontario Provincial Police are already doing. Together, speed cameras and the OPP are here to address speeding in Penetanguishene.
How do the Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) Cameras work?
The speed cameras installed in community safety zones are activated by speeding vehicles. The camera will capture a still image of the licence plate and a record of the detected speed of the vehicle. The image and the speed information will be stored securely and reviewed by a Provincial Offences Officer.
Ticket and Fines
Once the image of the licence plate and speed recorded is reviewed and verified by a Provincial Offences Officer, a ticket will be mailed to the registered licence plate holder at the address on file with the Province. Tickets issued and the dispute process will be completed through the Town of Penetanguishene’s Administrative Monetary Penalty By-Law (AMPS). The penalty is a monetary fine. Demerit points will not be issued, and driver's licences will not be suspended under the ASE program.
How will the funds be used?
The funds collected from the ASE program will be used to offset the cost to run the program to keep the community even safer. This can include, but is not limited to camera costs and lease, signage, public education and more.
The primary goal of the program is to keep the most vulnerable users in the community safe, to curb poor driver behavior and educate everyone on the importance of driving the posted speed limit.
Background:
Since the enactment of the Safer School Zones Act, 2017, the Ontario Traffic Council has been working with interested municipalities alongside the MTO through an ASE Working Group on the implementation of automated speed enforcement in Ontario. Bill 65 permits the use of Automated Speed Enforcement in School Zones and Community Safety Zones where the speed limit is less than 80 km/hour.
Automated speed enforcement, commonly referred to as ASE, is the use of a device that consists of a camera, a speed measurement device and technology that operate in combination to result in images of motor vehicles being taken, and data recorded, when a motor vehicle travels on a roadway past the device at a rate of speed greater than the posted speed limit. The operation of the device does not require that a human be present or on site.