Newmarket streets will be even safer this summer through the Community Safety Camera Program which uses automated speed enforcement technology to reduce speeding in Community Safety Zones. Through Newmarket Council's guidance, residents can expect to see 'Coming Soon' signs installed at 14 Council approved locations during the week of March 25, 2024.
During this time, the Town of Newmarket will also be collecting feedback from residents on speeding and speed reduction. Residents can provide their feedback reduction by:
- Completing a brief survey available at newmarket.ca/communitysafetycamera
- If randomly selected, participating in a phone survey conducted by a third-party vendor on behalf of the Town of Newmarket.
Everyone's feedback is highly valuable. Feedback collected will be used to inform the Community Safety Camera Program and additional safety measures to reduce speeding in Newmarket. Survey closes on April 12, 2024.
"Streets will be safer for children walking to and from school in Newmarket thanks to the automated speed enforcement technology that has proven to substantially reduce speeding while ticketing those that choose to speed in Community Safety Zones," says Mayor John Taylor. "Residents have told us that their number one issue is speeding and safe streets. We are now taking the strongest action we can take to curb speeding and improve safety. If you are caught speeding near a school - please don't act surprised, and more importantly please stop speeding."
Signage in Community Safety Zones
A Community Safety Zone is an area that has been identified as a priority area to protect the safety of all users. Traffic-related offences committed within the zone are subject to increased fines. Community Safety Zones are designated through a by-law by Newmarket Council.
During the week of March 25, 2024, community members can expect to see "Coming Soon" signs installed at the 14 locations which were approved by Council last September. All 14 locations are within Community Safety Zones which are near schools, playgrounds and recreational amenities. To warn, remind and educate the public to drive within the posted speed limit, "Coming Soon" signs will be in place for 90 days before the speed cameras will be activated.
Location of Cameras
The initial launch of the program will include 14 automated speed enforcement cameras mounted on a pole above the ground within following locations:
- Ward 1: Stonehaven Avenue and Kingsmere Avenue
- Ward 2: Gorham Street and Srigley Street East
- Ward 3: Wayne Drive and Patterson Street
- Ward 4: Longford Drive and Bristol Road East
- Ward 5: Queen Street and William Roe Boulevard
- Ward 6: Savage Road and Clearmeadow Boulevard
- Ward 7: Woodspring East and Woodspring West
For more a more information on location of the speed cameras and other Community Safety Zones in Newmarket, please view this map.
Warning Letter Period
During the month of June 2024, the Community Safety Camera Program will go live, the cameras will be activated, and a warning letter period will take place. During this time, motorists detected speeding will have a warning letter sent to the registered owner of the vehicle. The warning letter will include a photo of the vehicle and licence plate, the recorded speed at which the vehicle was travelling, and the location and time that the speed was recorded. The purpose of the warning letter period is to educate and inform residents about the new program and give drivers an opportunity to alter driving behaviour. No tickets will be issued during this period.
Tickets and Fines
Starting on July 2, 2024, the Community Safety Camera Program will begin, and tickets will be issued for vehicles driving above the posted speed limit within 30 days of the offence. Tickets will be issued by the Town of Newmarket and will be mailed to the registered licence plate holder on file with the Province. The fine amounts are regulated and established by the Province of Ontario. Tickets issued (Penalty Orders) and the dispute process will be completed in-house through the Town of Newmarket's Administrative Monetary System This means that the tickets and fines are not processed through the Provincial Courts. The penalty is a monetary fine and no demerit points will be issued. To learn more about the payment and or appeal process, please visit newmarket.ca/communitysafetycamera
How are automated speed cameras an effective safety tool?
Many municipalities across Ontario, North America, and the world, have relied on Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) as a community safety tool with great success. The use of ASE technology has resulted in reduced speeding, fewer collisions and less severity in the collisions that do occur.
For example, a study completed in 2022 of ASE sites within the City of Toronto showed that the proportion of people speeding in 30, 40 and 50 km/h speed limit zones dropped from approximately 60% to 43%, 51% to 30%, and 58% to 36%, respectively when the camera devices were operational. This represents an overall 45% reduction in the proportion of people speeding in areas with an ASE device.
ASE is one of several proven road safety measures and is designed to work in tandem with other methods used to reduce speeding including engineering activities, education initiatives, and police enforcement. For information on Newmarket's other current traffic safety initiatives please visit the Traffic Management webpage.
At what speed over the limit will someone receive a ticket?
Speed limits are not guidelines - they are the law. Driving at, or below, the posted limit will ensure you do not get a ticket.
How will the funds collected from the Community Safety Camera Program be used?
The funds collected from the Community Safety Camera Program will be used to offset the cost to run the program and to keep the community even safer. As driver behaviour changes and vehicles start to slow down in Community Safety Zones, the funds generated by the Program are anticipated to decrease as well. The potential funds that could be generated by this program will be used to support safe streets, active transportation, and other community initiatives.
For more information on the Community Safety Camera Program, please visit newmarket.ca/communitysafetycamera
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