Monitoring of Red-Light Violations

at Traffic Control Signals.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee:

(A) recommends:

(1) the adoption of the recommendations embodied in the report (March 18, 1998) from Councillor Ila Bossons, Midtown, viz.:

"That City Council repeat its request to the Province to make the necessary changes to provincial legislation which would:

(a) allow the issuance of a Notice of Violation based on data provided by automatic devices which record the running of a red light; and

(b) allow the City (municipalities) to keep the revenue from fines for any red-light running offence."; and

(2) the adoption of the Motion attached to the communication (March 19, 1998) from Councillor Frances Nunziata, York-Humber, viz.:

Moved by: COUNCILLOR NUNZIATA

Seconded by: COUNCILLOR MIHEVC

"WHEREAS in recent weeks accidents at Toronto intersections, which have resulted in one death and serious injuries in the others, have been as a result of drivers running red lights; and

WHEREAS traffic signal running is becoming increasingly prevalent in the City, increasing the chances of future fatalities or injuries to Toronto pedestrians; and

WHEREAS the use of red-light cameras at rotating intersections in other jurisdictions has resulted in a drop in the number of vehicles running red lights;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Toronto endorses the use of red-light cameras at major intersections throughout the City on a rotating or permanent basis as deemed appropriate by staff;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Council request the Province of Ontario to amend the Highway Traffic Act to provide the legislative authority for the City to implement this traffic safety control measure."; and

(B) submits, for information, the communication (March 20, 1998) from Councillor David Miller, High Park.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee submits the following report (March 18, 1998) from Councillor Ila Bossons, Midtown:

Years of experience show that red-light monitoring cameras are a sure-fire way to curb red-light running; but Toronto can use cameras only if the Province makes changes in legislation to:

(a) allow the issuance of a Notice of Violation by automatic devices to the licence plate of the red-light running vehicle; and

(b) allow the City to keep the revenue from fines.

Metropolitan Council at its meeting on September 24 and 25, 1997, during consideration of Clause No. 2 of Report No. 19 of The Planning and Transportation Committee, entitled "Monitoring of Red-Light Violations at Traffic Control Signals - Status Report No. 2; and Traffic Enforcement of Red-Light Violations", voted to request the Province to make these changes.

Then-Transportation Minister Palladini flatly turned down the request.

Several manufacturers of cameras (including Canadian) are ready to make proposals or tender. The Toronto Police Service strongly supports the use of cameras. Even though last year the Police managed to catch 1,000 red-light runners a month, they know that thousands go undetected everyday. Without the revenue from fines, the City cannot dream of buying the cameras ($70,000.00 a piece) or have the Police operate them. The cameras quickly pay back their capital costs through revenue from fines.

Metro tests show that one in 256 drivers deliberately runs a red light. You are aware of several deaths and two grave injuries in just the last ten days reportedly caused by red-light runners. There is now a new Minister of Transportation, the Honourable Tony Clemens, who seems to be taking a personal interest in traffic safety issues. I would, therefore, suggest that City Council appeal to him on the matter of red-light running.

I would ask your Committee to recommend that City Council repeat its request to the Province to make the necessary changes to provincial legislation which would:

(a) allow the issuance of a Notice of Violation based on data provided by automatic devices which record the running of a red light; and

(b) allow the City (municipalities) to keep the revenue from fines for any red-light running offence.

This request is confined to the offence of red-light running. It does not suggest that the City also be permitted to keep the revenue from fines for other moving violations. Revenue from the latter offences, under provincial law, would continue to be remitted to provincial general revenue.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee also submits the following communication (March 19, 1998) from Councillor Frances Nunziata, York-Humber:

I am sure you have read the recent media reports regarding the spate of accidents occurring as a result of drivers running red lights at certain intersections.

The latest tragedy involved one of my constituents, Irma Barberio, at the intersection of Jane Street and Eglinton Avenue West, located in my constituency of York-Humber. While the Mayor and others have publicly called for the installation of red-light cameras at major intersections in the City, I want to ensure that the request for such cameras is not confined to the media and, in fact, is actually made to the Provincial Government through the appropriate channels as part of the public record.

Accordingly, I am requesting that the attached motion be considered by your Committee with the sense of urgency that this issue deserves.

Thank you for your consideration.

(Motion attached to the foregoing communication.)

Moved by: COUNCILLOR NUNZIATA

Seconded by: COUNCILLOR MIHEVC

"WHEREAS in recent weeks accidents at Toronto intersections, which have resulted in one death and serious injuries in the others, have been as a result of drivers running red lights; and

WHEREAS traffic signal running is becoming increasingly prevalent in the City, increasing the chances of future fatalities or injuries to Toronto pedestrians; and

WHEREAS the use of red-light cameras at rotating intersections in other jurisdictions has resulted in a drop in the number of vehicles running red lights;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Toronto endorses the use of red-light cameras at major intersections throughout the City on a rotating or permanent basis as deemed appropriate by staff;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Council request the Province of Ontario to amend the Highway Traffic Act to provide the legislative authority for the City to implement this traffic safety control measure."

The Urban Environment and Development Committee also submits the following communication (March 20, 1998) from Councillor David Miller, High Park:

I enclose a letter from Ms. Laura McMurchie regarding an innovative red-light camera developed by her brother.

I think it would be appropriate to consider requesting a report on this issue at the same time that the red-light camera issue is dealt with at your Committee.

(Communication dated March 19, 1998, addressed to

Mayor Mel Lastman from Ms. Laura Lyne McMurchie, Toronto.)

I understand you are committed to resolving the problem of drivers running red-lights and plan to engage the Provincial Government in finding a way of reducing the number of traffic tragedies. I have an idea which you and Premier Harris might find interesting.

The current technology being discussed would ticket red-light violators. This would certainly be a deterrent but wouldn't necessarily have prevented this week's fatal and near-fatal accidents. Had there been traffic-cams at these intersections, the violators would soon be receiving tickets in the mail but the victims would not have suffered any less.

My brother, Neil McMurchie, is a mechanical engineer with a specialty in computer automation. While working for an imaging technology company in the United States, he designed an "intelligent" digital camera system which could:

- monitor the speed of traffic and detect if a car is going too fast to stop before the light turns red. The system would then delay the green light for cross-traffic for up to five seconds. This means that all four lights would be red when a car drives through an intersection against traffic signals;

- dial a certain number using cellular phone technology and alert police if a car had gone through several red lights;

- continuously download images to a central computer, enabling police to monitor intersections for accidents and to track dangerous drivers; and

- would also photograph cars which run red-lights, permitting police to ticket violators.

This system's software could be adapted to the technology currently in use at police stations.

Neil has a history of creating innovative computer-automated equipment--under budget. Please call me if you want to learn more about how his system could reduce traffic injuries and fatalities in Toronto.

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The following Members of Council appeared before the Urban Environment and Development Committee in connection with the foregoing matter:

- Councillor Ila Bossons, Midtown; and

- Councillor Frances Nunziata, York-Humber.