Photo radar changes ‘imminent’ as contract set to be renewed

Photo radar traffic enforcement appears set to continue in Winnipeg for at least five more years, amid hints its rules and equipment could soon be updated.

A Winnipeg Police Service report indicates “progress” has been made on changes to provincial legislation that has so far prevented the program’s technology from being updated, a change police first formally requested in 2017.

“Significant work on the amendments to the regulation was completed over the past year. As such, the (WPS) is recommending a five-year extension to (the current photo radar contract to) allow for the implementation and use of the new equipment, once approval has been granted,” wrote WPS Insp. Marc Philippot.

The report says the province announced a review of the controversial photo radar program in 2019, which could have eliminated or altered it, before cancelling that probe in 2022.

Recently, the province worked with WPS on proposed amendments to its image capturing enforcement regulation that would “approve the use of updated equipment,” which are now “with the province for consideration and approval,” Philippot noted.

Coun. Markus Chambers, chairman of the Winnipeg Police Board, said discussions are ongoing but he expects changes are “imminent.”

Chambers (St. Norbert-Seine River) noted the WPS has publicly warned for years that parts of the program’s technology are obsolete and no longer manufactured.

Former WPS chief Danny Smyth said the 2002 legislation required specific intersection safety-camera systems that rely on coils beneath roadways.

“So, it’s slowly, but surely, deteriorating. There are much more sophisticated above-ground camera systems that would be able to do (the job),” Smyth told media in 2022.

Chambers said technology in general has advanced dramatically since the photo radar cameras were introduced more than 20 years ago.

“If you look at your technology of a cellphone in 2001 (compared) to what it is today … it’s so much different,” he said.

Under the new rules, Chambers would like to see photo radar use allowed in more places to deter speeding and running red lights.

WPS began using photo enforcement cameras in 2003 and now has 49 intersection safety cameras, according to the service’s website. Another 10 mobile enforcement vehicles can ticket for speeding in school zones, playgrounds and construction zones.

The extension to Winnipeg’s current photo enforcement contract with Modaxo Acquisition Canada would run from Sept. 1, 2025 to Aug. 31, 2030 and cost the city about $25.2 million, if city council approves.

WPS expects to make about $12.8 million in revenue from the program this year, which would drop to about $7.8 million after costs.

The fate of Winnipeg’s photo radar program has been debated for years. Critics have dismissed the program as a cash grab, while WPS has said it saves lives.

Christian Sweryda, a road safety researcher, said he still believes the program is motivated by money.

“We know that photo radar is a … cash cow for (the city) … so there’s no really downside (to) them. It’s just pure money coming in,” said Sweryda.

The former member of WiseUp Winnipeg, which strongly opposed photo radar ticketing, is now working on a masters of law thesis that focuses partly on the practice. He alleges the city has set speed limits too low on some roads, which makes violations more frequent.

He said money is a key incentive to keeping the program, since both the province and city gain revenue from photo radar tickets.

“The province gets a huge cut out of every ticket,” said Sweryda.

On a $181 photo radar ticket, the province confirmed it would receive about $104, while the city receives about $77.

Sweryda said he’s concerned the city will successfully lobby the province to allow WPS to use photo radar at any location.

“They deploy it overall in areas where they can get high tickets, not necessarily to make the roads safer,” he said.

Chambers disagreed, arguing the risk of photo radar fines leads many drivers to reduce their speed.

“If you’re not speeding, you have nothing to worry about … It’s not a cash grab, it is about safety,” he said.

Winnipeg Police Service did not comment by deadline Wednesday but indicated a response could follow soon.

In an email, a provincial government spokesperson did not directly answer when changes to the legislation that governs photo radar could be made.

“The province is engaged in positive, collaborative dialogue with municipalities about the best methods to keep Manitobans safe on our highways and roads,” the spokesperson wrote.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

X: @joyanne_pursaga