Region looks to dramatically expand speed camera enforcement

Regional councillors are once again talking speed cameras.

A five year plan looking to massively expand the number of cameras in Waterloo Region will head to regional council on Tuesday for approval.

According to the staff report this plan will see the ‘rapid’ expansion of automated speed cameras popping up in the region over the next five years.

Starting in 2024 the goal is to add at least 25 to 30 new cameras to school zones across the region until all 175 are covered with the new enforcement tool at the end of 2028.

The report says of the 16 cameras already in use the region has seen success in reducing speed by about 2 to 9 km/h on average.

It also shows a 63 per cent increase in the number of vehicles complying with the speed limit when a camera is present.

The report also outlines the goal of the expansion is to encourage alternative transportation options like cycling and walking, improve road safety and improve child and youth wellbeing.

It’s estimated at least 6 full-time transportation engineers will need to be hired by next year to facilitate the programs expansion.

If approved, the report will go back to staff to work out the logistics of what the plan would look like, including how the cost will fit into the 2024 budget.