More photo radar coming to Quebec

Quebecs transport minister has introduced legislation that opens the door for municipalities to set up more photo radar.

Bill 57 would add new provisions to the Highway Safety Code to allow for photo radar in high risk areas like school zones and areas with roadwork.

The bill was introduced in the NationalAssembly Wednesday morning by Transport Minister Pierre Moreau.

He said the 15 devices already in place in the province have been successful in getting drivers to slow down.

Moreau denied suggestions from critics the measure is nothing but a cash cow for the government.

Montreal says 'no'

Montreal mayor Grald Tremblay says the city isn't interested in more photo radar locations, because it can't control any extra revenue.

"We've asked the government to give us that responsibility, the government has decided to centralize that process and generate some revenues they will invest in public security throughout Quebec," Tremblay said at a news conference Wednesday.

"We're saying no, we're saying the revenues generated in Montreal should be invested in Montreal for public safety."

Quebec City has indicated it will go ahead with more photo radar locations.

Transport Quebec said the public has shown overwhelming support for photo radar, as long as it is used to promote safer roads rather than as a revenue generator.

Fifteen cameras, looking both for speeders and red light runners, are already installed throughout the province.

An all-party committee looking into the effectiveness of those cameras found they had a positive impact on reducing speed and collisions.

In aNovember 2011 report, the committee said drivers slowed down by an average of 10 kilometres per hour and there was an 85 per cent drop in vehicles running red lights.

That pilot project brought in about $20 million in fines.

The government installed five fixed photo radar units and one mobile unitin Montreal in 2009.