Hergest Ridge

While I’ve failed to keep abreast of the progression and the justifications given for it, my observation is that our city began with a single red light camera at an intersection with the highest accident rate, and since expanded the campaign approximately hundred fold.

According to a local newspaper’s February 11th story by Geoff Kirbyson, “46 dedicated traffic officers have been removed from the street” – plenty of room to make a counter claim against “photo-radar making the streets safer.” Unlike the original, cameras are now installed at intersections with low accident rates. The city and the firm which provides the photo service are both paid commission style, with no independent body overlooking their practice.

A “2006 City Audit of the Photo Enforcement Program shows that the city used misleading statistics in an attempt to cover-up the program’s failure to reduce accidents. Independent evidence cited in the report indicates that the number of insurance claims for accidents, injuries and property damage expenses went up significantly at sites using camera enforcement in the year following the introduction of the devices.” (Audit PDF)

But perhaps most frustrating about the whole situation is that few question the authorities when a claim about safety is made. When someone at an airport tells you to get rid of your water, few seem to realise that the ceased containers are stored inside the airport loaded with people. If it all really was a threat, should it not be removed immediately? And how many of all the “safety regulations” are a placebos to problems which have always existed, and will continue to exist until each and every citizen has all their liberties removed?

What I’m getting at is that in the name of safety, you’re likely getting ripped off financially while being stripped of your privacy – both often done by your own government.

If you live in the Winnipeg area, please review and consider signing the petition against current photo-radar practices, set to be presented in court in April.