Transportation committee to vote on using speeding, red-light fines to boost rural road safety

A September 2024 file photo of a speed radar camera sign on Smyth Road in Ottawa. Photo by Tony Caldwell /POSTMEDIAArticle content

Here’s an ironic twist.

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All the speeders and red light busters out there in the City of Ottawa might just end up contributing to safer rural roads in the future.

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If, that is, a motion from Rideau-Jock Coun. David Brown is approved by city council.

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Brown’s proposal calls for up to $10 million to be spent on engineering studies, along with more enforcement and education programs, as well as adding more intersections among the sprawling ever-growing population areas outside the city’s main core.

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The idea is that the money would come from the Road Safety Action Program, which is funded by the revenues that pour into the city from the cameras that catches red-light runners and those with lead feet on the gas pedals — otherwise known as the New Traffic Control Devices.

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The city’s infrastructure committee will vote on Brown’s motion on Thursday. If it passes there, it would move on to a full city council vote on April 16.

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Funding for the Road Safety Action Plan is particularly focused on reducing collisions resulting in death and major injuries in and around intersections — or potential new intersections — in rural areas. The goal is to improve safety for “vulnerable” road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.

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In 2023, the City of Ottawa earned $26.6 million in revenue from fines against drivers captured on camera exceeding speed limits and passing through red lights. Speeders were responsible for $14.3 million of that amount.

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