Mayor Don Iveson strikes back at photo radar critics

Mayor Don Iveson doesnt care that thousands have signed an online petition calling for an end to photo radar.

The program isnt going anywhere because it prevents collisions, Iveson said Monday, and if people want to stop getting tickets, they should drive the speed limit.

I'm a lawmaker. I make laws, not to be casually obeyed as it suits you, he told reporters.

I make laws so that they get obeyed, and we enforce them in order to make them stand up. And I'm just tired of this sense that some people have that they're better than the law.

The petition launched last week on Change.org now has nearly 18,000 signatures.

Patrick Dyas started the petition after hearing peoples frustrations about a $47-million cost overrun related to the city taking over the program from a private company.

The extra cost was covered by ticket revenues but some people remained concerned about the program.

Iveson thought it was time to respond to the criticisms, so he posted a rebuttal on his blog Monday.

I thought it was important to counter some of the information thats out there with real facts and statistics, he said.

So that we can have a debate about facts here, as opposed to an emotional response to getting a speeding ticket.

Iveson said more than half the money made from speeding tickets goes towards covering the cost of the program.

He suggested capping the amount at $35 million and putting the remaining revenue back into the community.

"Then you really can't complain because after the cost of education, after the cost of physical modifications to the roadway and after the cost of administering the program itself ... whatever money is left is going back into the community, he said.

Coun. Amarjeet Sohi shares Ivesons concerns.

He plans to ask city administration at Wednesdays city council meeting for a report into the program.

This is not a money grab, he said. This is not about raising revenue for the city. This is about safety for everyone."

Like Iveson, he says the program is working and not going away.