Mississauga has allocated up to $18.4 million to expand its photo-radar program, aiming to install an additional 60 speed cameras by 2028. The city council unanimously supported this initiative on June 26, following a proposal from city staff. The expansion includes deploying new pole-mounted cameras in key locations such as school zones and major roadways prone to fatal and injury collisions.

Mayor Carolyn Parrish emphasized the importance of monitoring public reaction and ensuring the program doesn’t cause undue irritation. She stressed the goal of maintaining a cost-neutral approach, focusing on safety rather than revenue generation. The program has already shown promising results, with drivers exhibiting better adherence to speed limits when cameras are active.

The projected cost of the expansion is estimated at $14.7 million over six years, with an additional $3.69 million earmarked for contingencies. Revenue from fines is expected to cover program expenses. Since its inception, the ASE program has issued 82,000 tickets totaling $11.7 million in fines, with $4.3 million collected so far.

Moving forward, city staff will propose new camera locations based on data analysis, subject to council approval. The shift towards pole-mounted units aims to mitigate vandalism concerns compared to ground-level units, which have faced increasing incidents of damage.

Despite some public concerns, such as fairness in enforcement outside of school hours, councillors like Joe Horneck underscored the program’s role in enhancing safety. Discussions will continue on refining enforcement times to align with community expectations, especially concerning school zone enforcement.

Overall, Mississauga officials are optimistic about the program’s ability to reduce speeding and improve road safety across the city.