Clear Majority of Ontarians Support Safety Cameras To Save Lives

TORONTO, Nov. 16 /CNW/ - A Harris/Decima survey commissioned by the Ontario Road Builders' Association shows that 67 per cent of Ontarians support the use of safety cameras to measure speed near schools, community centres and construction zones on provincial highways and local roads.  Support was highest among retirees at 79 per cent, and women at 75 per cent.

"There's no question that Ontarians believe safety cameras are the way to go to help police crack down on aggressive drivers who continue to ignore the speed limit and put lives at risk," said Karen Renkema, spokesperson for the Ontario Road Builders' Association.

The survey also found:

• 82 per cent are confident that greater enforcement of the speed limit in community safety and construction zones would help to improve safety;
• 76 per cent believe that the Ontario government should make it a priority to crack down on aggressive drivers;
• 69 per cent feel an increasing number of aggressive drivers especially speeders, have made our roads more dangerous than ever.

"Our members fully support Don Valley East MPP David Caplan's private member's bill and we hope the government will too," Renkema added. "We've got the technology to make our roads and construction zones safer, and save lives, let's use it."

Caplan's private member's bill will be introduced in the Ontario Legislature on Monday, November 22^nd.

Harris/Decima conducted the poll from November 4^th through November 7^th 2010, surveying 328 Ontarians. Results are considered accurate +/- 5.4 per cent 19 times out of 20.

Why We Need Safety Cameras

• According to the Ontario Road Safety Annual Report (ORSAR) over 4,899 pedestrians were killed or hurt in collisions in 2007. That's up slightly from 4,855 in 2006.
• As in previous years, speed and aggressive driving were a factor in almost half of Ontario traffic fatalities in 2007. (ORSAR 2007)
• Over the last seven years, more than 2,500 people have been killed in speed related collisions (from 2001 to 2007). (ORSAR)

Between 2000 and 2006, 52 people were killed and more than 2,800 were injured in construction work zones on Ontario roadways. (MTO data)

• On average, 2,200 collisions occur each year in Ontario roadway construction zones. (MTO data)
• An October 2010 report on Quebec's experience with safety cameras found the percentage of vehicles exceeding posted limits decreased by 63 per cent. (Montreal Gazette - Oct. 21, 2010.
• Safety camera studies in Norway, UK and New Zealand (British Medical Journal 2005; (Published January 14, 2005) Effectiveness of speed cameras in preventing road traffic collisions and related casualties: systematic review-P. Pilkington) show the following results: 
• 17% to 71% decrease in deaths
• 12% to 65% drop in injuries, and;
• 5% to 69% reduction in collisions;

Safety cameras are being used to deter speeders in several North American jurisdictions including Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Colorado, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Ohio, Tennessee, Utah and Washington.

To learn more about the Ontario Road Builders' Association go to: www.orba.org

For further information:

Danna O'Brien, [email protected] (o) 416-690-5777 x 163 (c) 416-500-0699

Karen Renkema, [email protected] (o) 905-507-1107 x223 (c) 416.768.4848