Premier Ford insists to another private citizen that speed cameras do not save lives and that speed bumps, roundabouts will work 100%. Late at night, Ford called back a concerned grandmother, citizen and walker from the City of Toronto. She also has friends that work for the City of Toronto, Transportation Services Division, who process the camera tickets and who’s jobs will be affected and potentially unemployed. A grandmother who did us all a public service by tirelessly calling the Premier.
Calling the Premier and leaving messages does work! I’m impressed that he’s calling people back. It hearkens back to the Rob Ford days when Mayor Rob would hand out his personal cell phone to everyone. It’s a dependable populist ploy to make it appear like the Premier is the embodiment of the popular will.
And, sure enough, Premier Ford, does not need to reference any facts. According to the caller, Ford “disagrees that speed cameras saves any lives. He gave Parkside Dr as an example of how the cameras don’t work and how it is a tax grab to the taxpayer.” This is despite there having been well-researched studies that showed that speeding decreased after speed cameras were installed.
Premier Ford “is adamant that the speed bumps, roundabouts, etc will work 100% and that he will be throwing money at the municipalities to install them.” It’s unclear what the Premier will provide for schools on arterial roads, or any of the non-school locations of speed cameras, such as alongside playgrounds. And it’s unclear if the Premier intends to work with the municipalities on this, or override the municipal laws around where speed bumps can be installed or not.
Ford also “referenced a poll that people don’t want speed cameras.” It’s not clear what poll he is referring to. This poll says otherwise.
A plurality (49%) of Ontarians disapprove of the ban, with only 34% approving. Opposition is strongest among women (54%), Liberal (76%) and NDP voters (77%). Support comes largely from PC supporters (58%), men (42%), and voters aged 35–49 (41%).
Ford’s base backs him, but the rest of Ontario does not.
My letter to editor published in Toronto Star
As a high school student, I take public transit to and from school every day. That means crossing busy streets where drivers often speed to beat red lights or rush past open streetcar doors.
The speed cameras near schools and along major routes make drivers think twice — and that helps keep students like me safe. Now that the Ford government plans to remove all speed cameras by Nov. 14, I’m worried.
Speeding is illegal — if drivers were fined multiple times, it’s because they broke the law multiple times. When students are caught cheating on exams, the punishments get stricter — we don’t get rid of exams. So why is it different for traffic rules? Removing cameras condones dangerous driving and puts kids at risk. We rely on safe streets.
We shouldn’t have to risk our lives just to get to class.
Arushi
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/speed-cameras-keep-us-all-safer-its-as-simple-as-that/article_35f0975e-edec-4c50-9963-54945ded11e4.html
I’m glad the Premier called this woman back. I was given his cell phone number at a rally against the closing of the Ontario Science Centre. I texted him and was ALWAYS respectful and polite. Nevertheless, he eventually blocked me. His cell phone is 647-612-3673.