Drivers beware: Automated speeding tickets coming to 35 B.C. intersections

Traffic cams part of crackdown on need for speed Dozens of busy intersections will soon be sending automated speeding tickets.

The B.C. government says it is adding technology capable of issuing automated speeding tickets at 35 intersections across the province in a bid to slow down speeders.

"Ignoring new, prominent warning signs and flying through one of British Columbia's highest-risk intersections soon will lead to an automated speeding ticket - a road safety approach proven to cut speeds and tragic outcomes elsewhere," the province said in statement announcing the changes Tuesday.

The government reviewed speed and crash data from the province's 140 intersections equipped with red-light cameras. It identified 35 among those that could benefit from additional safety measures.

The technology will be able to automatically send a ticket to the registered owner of the speeding vehicle.

"We have a record number of crashes happening - more than 900 a day in our province - and about 60 per cent of the crashes on our roads are at intersections," said Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth.

"We've taken time to systematically pinpoint the locations linked to crashes and dangerous speeds that are best suited to safely catching, ticketing and changing the behaviours of those who cause carnage on B.C. roads."

The Intersection Safety Camera program reported an average of 10,500 vehicles a year going at least 30 km/h over the posted speed limit.

"Speed has been one of the top contributing factors in casualty crashes at these intersections, which have had a combined total of more than 11,500 collisions per year," the province said.

Officials aren't using the term "photo radar" to describe the new program, but opponents said drivers won't be fooled.

"You can put any kind of lipstick on a pig. It is photo radar. It is de facto convictions that are sent in the mail after the fact to the owners of vehicles, placing the onus on the owner to prove innocence versus the state to prove guilt," said Ian Tootill, one of the founders of Sense BC.

The group helped get rid of photo radar in the province about two decades ago when it gathered more than 25,000 signatures in a petition. Tootill said drivers objected before and they will oppose this time around as well.

"People vote with their right feet. Once they start getting those tickets, the attitude changes," he said. "The safety benefits of photo radar are arguable at best and non-existent at worst."

The government is revealing the location of the 35 traffic cameras, but will not disclose the speed threshold that will trigger automated enforcement.

Tootill said if the province does want to improve safety, it would be transparent and reveal what those thresholds are.

The intersections affected by the changes include:

Vancouver:

Surrey:

Abbotsford:

Burnaby:

Coquitlam:

Delta:

Kelowna:

Langley:

Maple Ridge:

Nanaimo:

North Vancouver:

Pitt Meadows:

Port Coquitlam:

Richmond: