Photo radar may not have a lot of fans in drivers, but regardless, it’s about to be a lot more present on Quebec roads.
The Liberal government has announced it will triple the number of cameras snapping pictures of speeding vehicles, up to 56 installations from the current 18.
Critics argue it’s nothing more than a cash grab, but the government said it’s about putting safety first.
“You are going to see the radar and put it as some places where we need it and everyone's going to know, so I think it's going to be an improvement. We're working in prevention,” said Quebec Transportation Minister Robert Poeti.
Traffic code expert and lawyer Eric Lamontagne said he does not believe that it increases overall safety.
“I think that the government needs to show people that it's not a money grab, by putting the photo radar at the right places – places where it's dangerous,” he said.
Too often photo radar sites are chosen for their revenue potential, rather than safety, said Lamontagne.
Poeti disagreed, saying the locations are not secret and drivers have plenty of warning.
“If you call that a place to just get money, it's not true, but if you want to participate in it and give us money because you're not following the rules... let's go!” said Poeti.
Mayors across the province have been asking for more photo radar installations, including Montreal’s Denis Coderre.
“I think photo radar is a good thing for safety,” said Coderre.
The government has yet to decide where it intends to put these new photo radar sites; Poeti said municipalities will be consulted before any decisions are made.
For a closer look at the current placement of radar cameras around Quebec, click here. Be sure to click on the "Stationary Photo Radar" box in the legend on the right side of the page.
