Photo radar and speeding cars

March 03, 2016, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

Photo radar.

Those two words are guaranteed to raise the ire of some and cheers from others. Nearly 20 years ago Mike Harris eliminated photo radar form Ontario roads, arguing that the concept of using cameras to catch speeders was not fair. The argument went that there was no way to prove that a specific individual was driving the car and fining the owner of the car wasn’t just. It seems fair enough to bill owners of cars using the 407 or running red lights though. This approach is neither logical nor fair.

Now Toronto Mayor Tory has asked Premier Wynne to reverse the Harris decision and to allow The City of Toronto to deploy traffic management technologies like photo radar. Premier Wynne is taking a more positive approach that other premiers have and has said that her government is open to the idea. Even PC Leader Patrick Brown is supportive of the idea on the basis of revenue generation according to reports in the Toronto Star.

The technology is invaluable given the limited resources of police to set up speed traps and catch chronic offenders. More people are caught and discouraged from subsequent speeding. Danger to police officers stopped in live traffic lanes is reduce, and their time is freed up to pursue more serious criminals. Ultimately the technology is very cost effective by reducing policing costs and by generating a great deal of revenue.

Much has changed in the last 20 years including the acceptance of Canadians to be monitored almost constantly on CCTV when in urban areas and within stores and public places. We have also changed our ideas around privacy. In any case, I would argue that if you lend your car to someone and they generate a speeding ticket then you obviously know them well enough to ask for the money back at the very least. I don’t lend my car to strangers and people I don’t trust. I don’t know anyone that does.

This of course, brings up another related point. When you lend your car you are also lending your insurance. If the person is in an accident, or is charged with a crime it is your insurance that will be affected. You may also be held partially liable in any law suits that come forward as a result of accidents and personal injury.

About Deutschmann Law

Deutschmann Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.deutschmannlaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.

The opinions expressed here, while intended to provide useful information, should not be interpreted as legal recommendations or advice.