Meet FRED, Quebec's latest school zone traffic light that leaves speeding drivers on red
A school zone in Brossard, Que. will host a pilot project aimed at protecting children from fast-moving traffic, forcing vehicles going over the limit to stop altogether.
A smart traffic light will be installed near Marie-Laurier Academy south of the Champlain Bridge. Unlike regular lights, which are automated to keep traffic moving smoothly, this one has no problem halting traffic if it’s moving too fast.
The speed limit around the school is 30 km/h. The light is red by default, but it will turn green for cars going the right speed. Vehicles going over 30 will meet a red, and be forced to stop before the light changes.
The system is called the called “Feu de ralentissement éducatif” (Educational Speed-Reducing Light), or FRED, for short.
A spokesperson for the project says FRED provides “effective, non-punitive awareness” for drivers passing through school zones. It will also collect data on how many drivers move past it, and their average speed.
The light is mounted with a solar panel, which makes installing it much easier than a traditional traffic light, according to the company that makes them, Signalisation Kalitec inc.
“It takes two hours, so we can really deploy FREDs all around the country,” said Anthony Lapointe, Kalitec’s marketing director.
“I think it's important to note it's not an approved technology in Quebec yet, but it's proven itself in Europe over the last decade,” said Brossard Mayor Doreen Assaad on Monday. “For us, this is going to be an interesting opportunity to collect information, to test to see the result. Is it effective?”
LISTEN ON CJAD 800 RADIO: Meet FRED, a smart traffic light that rewards motorists according to driving behaviour
SPEEDING IN QUEBEC
A recent study from CAA-Quebec found drivers routinely speed through school zones.
Surveyors recorded motorists driving through a school zone surrounding École Saint-Arsènet in Montreal’s Petite-Patrie neighbourhood over two days in October.
The agency says 96 per cent of drivers exceeded the 30 km/h speed limit, with an average speed of 40 km/h.
Near École Saint-Claude in Quebec City, the agency recorded motorists going even faster, at an average of 45 km/h, well above the posted limit.
“We also spotted 2 drivers going way too fast—40 km/h over the limit,” wrote CAA-Quebec in a press release describing the study.
“We’re very optimistic that (FRED) is going to be very effective,” said Lapointe. “Much more than a radar speed sign that gives you the choice to slow down. (With) the red light, the compliance is there.”
On average, excessive speed contributes to 115 deaths and 420 serious injuries on Quebec roads each year, according to Quebec provincial police.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.