Speed camera program launching in Waterloo, Cambridge school zones

They’re a tool of enforcement critiqued by many in the area, even vandalized at times, but the Region of Waterloo believes that speed cameras are an important tool in keeping the roadways safe.

Speed cameras around schools in the region will begin to come online this month, starting with a camera on Bluevale Street in Waterloo starting on Feb. 3, and another on Elgin Road in Cambridge on Feb. 10.

Both of those cameras are near schools, with enforcement aimed at improving the safety of the road for children, staff and vulnerable pedestrians.

The rollout of the speed camera program was paused in October when the City of Kitchener motioned to block the installation of cameras on some city-owned roads.

According to the region, a person struck by a car travelling at 30 km/h is six times more likely to survive than if the car was travelling 50 km/h.

Over the next several months, more speed cameras will activated in areas near schools. Fines for speeding in areas near schools are doubled for community safety zones with a camera installed.

Those caught by a speed camera going 50 km/h in a 30 km/h zone, could receive a nearly $200 fine, and being caught doing 60 km/h in that same zone would cost more than $450.