Barely six months after Premier Doug Ford’s government forced Toronto to deactivate its automated speed cameras, data reveals drivers are blasting past limits at dramatically higher rates.
At 101 of 104 locations with comparable before-and-after data, the proportion of vehicles traveling 11 km/h or more over the posted limit jumped from 2% to 8.1%, a 380% increase. Speeding rose most sharply on 30 km/h local roads.
Since the cameras were removed, 25 fatal collisions have occurred in Toronto, including two within 100 meters of former camera sites. Mayor Olivia Chow called the situation “almost inexcusable” and demanded the cameras’ return. Councillor Dianne Saxe said speed cameras are “the only tool that actually works to save lives.”
Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria dismissed the call, noting Toronto received $10 million for traffic-calming infrastructure like speed bumps. “If you have a speed bump there, you will not be able to speed,” he said.