Can you honestly say you have never run a red
light while driving?
By Donna Kell
 If
you can say you’ve never run a red light,
pat yourself on the back. If you can’t, you’re
not alone.
Statistics show that, in 1997,
more than 48,000 collisions took place at signalized
intersections operated by municipalities in Ontario.
Some of those collisions are the result of red
light running.
"We are about to turn on red
light cameras at Regional intersections," said
Mitch Zamojc, Commissioner of Public Works. "We
hope the cameras will prove to be an effective
enforcement tool to support traditional police
action against red light violations."
The Region of Peel is working
with five other municipalities on a two-year pilot
project to reduce red light running. The program,
which began in November 2000, involves stepped-up
police presence at six Peel Regional intersections
and red light camera installation at another six
intersections.
Peel, Toronto, Hamilton-Wentworth,
Ottawa-Carleton, Halton and Waterloo Regions have
worked together on the pilot program, since 1998.
"The technology is quite new,
and many details needed to be ironed out with
the process," said Jim LeSarge, Supervisor of
Traffic Signals and Systems and Chair of the six-municipality
technical committee. "We wanted to be certain
that the red light cameras complied fully with
traffic law and are ready to go."
 In
September, the Region launched an advertising
campaign using radio and bus advertisements to
deter red light running to help prepare drivers
for the cameras.
Fines for having your vehicle
captured in a photo will cost $190 and will arrive
at a vehicle owner’s home by mail. The Cities
of Mississauga and Brampton will collect the fines.
Meanwhile, hopes are high for
the Intersection Safety Program to Reduce Red
Light Running, Zamojc said. "This may be an opportunity
to save lives and reduce injuries caused by collisions."
For exact locations of intersections
with red light cameras, please visit the Region
of Peel Website at www.region.peel.on.ca/pw/roads/
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