The city of Toronto's Mayor Olivia Chow has made headlines claiming that speeding is out of control and that speed cameras are necessary to prevent deaths.
However, a recent report to Toronto City Hall has raised questions about the data presented in the report, with some arguing that it relies too heavily on percentages without providing the underlying numbers.
Chow has stated that speed kills, and that the city's report on speeding is "horrifying". However, a closer look at the data suggests that the reality may not be as dire as the Mayor's rhetoric suggests.
According to the report, the average 85th percentile operating speed increased by 4.8 km/h across 104 locations with comparable before-and-after data. This means that in a 30km/h zone, people who were speeding were doing on average 35 km/h.
The report also calculates a 410% increase in drivers speeding 16 km/h or more after the speed cameras were removed. However, this increase comes from a small percentage of drivers, with 1.4% of drivers clocked at speeds 16 km/h or higher when speed cameras were active, compared to 7.2% after they were removed.
Chow has also pushed back on the idea of installing more speed bumps, citing concerns that ambulances and fire trucks may not be able to safely navigate them. However, this argument seems inconsistent with the Mayor's support for bike lanes, which can also reduce response times for emergency vehicles.
The city's own report also shows that dropping speed cameras does not lead to an increase in deaths. In fact, the report reveals that the number of fatal collisions and deaths in areas where speed cameras once operated has remained relatively stable over the past few years.
Ultimately, the issue with the speed camera operations in Toronto and other municipalities is not about safety, but about the money that can be collected from fines. It's a cash grab that prioritizes revenue over the well-being of citizens.
The Mayor's fear-mongering tactics and reliance on dodgy statistics are an attempt to sell the public on something that isn't true. It's time to look beyond the rhetoric and examine the facts.
