Could Drumheller join the growing list of communities that deploy photo radar, or similar devices, to catch speeding motorists?
At the meeting of the Committee of the Whole, on Tuesday, September 4, members of the Drumheller Town Council were given a presentation of how automated traffic enforcement could become a reality in our community.
Global Traffic Group presented their laser photo radar system to catch and fine motorists speeding in Drumheller.
There would be several advantages to the community were a system to be implemented. Police resources would be freed up from traffic duty so they could concentrate on other areas and the program could provide some cash to the Town coffers.
The system is primarily used to catch speeders, but could be modified to catch motorists running red lights. If implemented, Drumheller would be given a one month warning period, where violators would only receive a warning through the mail. After a month, fines would be issued.
The cost to Drumheller would be negligible according to Richard Kracher, manager with Global Traffic Group. Global would pay for the equipment, personnel, and processing tickets.
For each ticket, the Town would get roughly a third of the fine.
inSide Drumheller asked members of Town Council their opinions on the possibility of implementing a laser photo radar program.
“That wasn’t the Town of Drumheller looking for them, it was them coming here looking for business. I think we are well and adequately policed. We have community enforcement, sheriffs, and RCMP that can do traffic. I’m happy with what we have,” said Mayor Terry Yemen.
“I have some major safety concerns with the crosswalks and four way intersections. I should think if there was enough concern around some intersections we would consider installing permanent cameras and they would offer the appropriate deterrent. Otherwise, I’m not interested in laser radar,” said Councillor Andrew Berdahl.
“I’m fifty-fifty with it right now. I like it in a sense, but I see it as a money grab too. It might slow down some of the speeders and we do have a lot of tourist who come through town. We have RCMP in town and I think it’s their duty to respond to these traffic incidents,” said Councillor Doug Stanford.
“It sounds interesting, but I think we need to have more input from the RCMP. They would be involved a lot during the set up time. As a town we don’t want to burden people with more bills, but it could be a good idea if we get people to drive more carefully, especially in school zones. I think we need to have more statistics as well to see if it’s more safe,” said Councillor Sharel Shoff.
“The benefit to the Town, aside from the school zones, would the red light camera. The RCMP do an accurate job on the school zones,” said Councillor Lisa Hansen-Zacharuk.
“Anything that could help make our community safer should be discussed. I’m more interested on the automated camera side. We’ve heard from our Staff Sergeant in the past that this community has some difficulty with school zones and stopping at red lights. With this provider it would cost us nothing to ramp up enforcement of these particular traffic laws, so I’m interested in learning more,” said Councillor Jay Garbutt.
“It seems more and more municipalities are going with it as an effective way to control speeders. It’s one alternative. One of the things Council is going to do is some fact finding. We have to explore other alternatives and the whole concept of bringing in automated enforcement. We have our fair share of people who go a little too fast. This is a way to slow them down,” said Councillor Tom Zariski.
Staff Sergeant Art Hopkins of the Drumheller RCMP was asked to give his opinion during the meeting.
“Stationary cameras are phenomenal for some areas. Laser accuracy is much better than photo radar and could benefit some areas,” said Staff Sergeant Hopkins. “I don’t like the perception of it being a tax grab. If we’re going to do this, it must be done as a deterrent.”
No decisions regarding the laser photo radar have been made yet. However, were Council to agree to bring in the system, Drumheller could be photo enforced in as little as three months, according to Kracher.
Members of Council are eager to hear what residents have to say.
“I think we have the resources to manage those areas [speeding and red lights],” said Yemen. “If people have concerns, they should contact Council and we can then ask the appropriate service to focus on those areas.”
The Drumheller Town Council received a presentation from Global Traffic Group about the possibility of bringing laser photo radar to Drumheller. The system would not cost Drumheller anything to start up and could provide some extra cash to the town coffers and help make the streets a little safer. Council is eager hear from residents about the possibility.
