Speed cameras in Guelph slowing drivers down near school zones

Four-speed cameras have been rotating every three months in different school zones across Guelph and staff say the automated speed enforcement (ASE) camera program isn’t going anywhere.

Guelph’s Manager of Transportation Engineering, Steve Anderson, told CityNews 570 in an interview that they have no end date for the program currently that first launched in August.

“At our first eight locations, before the cameras went live, we had an average speed of 42km/h and while the cameras were active we saw a reduction down to 33 km/h, which is great,” Anderson said.

The large boxed-shaped metal speed cameras are part of the city’s vision zero strategy which aims to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on roadways to zero in Guelph.

“The intent is to keep rotating the cameras through elementary school zones including next school year, there’s no end date to the program well just keep rotating the cameras.”

Since the cameras were installed, Anderson said, they have been able to slow drivers down by an average of 20 per cent where the cameras are located.

The photo radar cameras are entering their fourth rotation now since being implemented and Anderson said they will do 16 rotations by this summer.

Ten years ago, the city lowered speed limits near elementary schools to 30 km/h but didn’t see any real change from it, which is what prompted them to come up with a different idea.

“Speeds were still well over 40 km/h. All of our school zones are 30 km/h, so this is the step we took to help try to encourage that driver behaviour change to get the speeds down.”

Starting May 1, the speed cameras are now located near École Arbour Vista Public School, William C. Winegard Public School, Central Public School and June Avenue Public School. A full list of where they will be next can be found on the city’s website.

Anderson said information will be coming to council next year to talk about a possible path for expansion.