Automated speed cameras in the city of Vaughan are no more.<\/p>\n
Effective immediately, the municipality has suspended its Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) program on all city streets.<\/p>\n
Today, during a special meeting, councillors supported a motion introduced by Mayor Steven Del Duca to terminate Vaughan\u2019s speed camera program and instead focus its efforts on advancing other traffic-calming measures as well as continuing to explore other approaches to reduce speeding in Community Safety Zones, especially near schools.<\/p>\n
The motion also entails making a request to York Region to also suspend its ASE program on Regional roads<\/a> in Vaughan. <\/p>\n Further, Del Duca\u2019s motion also asks to consider additional traffic-calming measures through the city\u2019s 2026 budget process. <\/p>\n \u201cAs Mayor, the safety and well-being of all residents is my top priority. At the start of the summer, we paused the City\u2019s Automated Speed Enforcement program so staff could evaluate if we could strike the right balance between protecting our most vulnerable road users and ensuring no unfair financial burden is placed on residents at a time of financial uncertainty,\u201d he said in a news release.<\/p>\n \u201cUpon review, it is clear the balance tips too heavily toward monetary penalties on residents. That is why I brought forward a motion to end the program, which was approved today by Council, and we will be asking York Region to consider suspending their Automated Speed Enforcement program on Regional roads in Vaughan. I will continue to work with Council and staff to fight against reckless driving, reduce speeding and protect all road users and pedestrians.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s not clear if the move was motivated by Ontario Premier Doug Ford\u2019s recent comments threatening to remove speed cameras<\/a> if municipalities didn\u2019t do so first.<\/p>\n Vaughan\u2019s ASE program only launched this past April but was put on hold on June 4 amid concerns from residents. The municipality indicated that this move was made to \u201cprovide staff with an opportunity to review its implementation.\u201d<\/p>\n Motorists should note that any penalty orders issued for speeding infractions prior to June 4 at 5 p.m. are still valid and must be paid or appealed according to the instructions on the order. Refunds will not be issued for payment made on these orders, it said.<\/p>\n