A Sensible Approach to Photo Radar: Balancing Safety and Revenue

It won’t be popular with some, but that’s the problem with politics today—too many decisions are made based on trying to please everyone, often clouding the judgement of those in charge. So, let’s be honest and address this photo radar debate with a fair and balanced perspective.

Recently, Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham and city councillors have hinted at expanding photo radar. Markus Chambers even touted new technology capable of catching drivers on cell phones at stoplights and monitoring excess noise from modified mufflers. All of this is being floated while the Winnipeg Police Service conducts a survey as part of their “Just Slow Down” campaign, asking residents if they support extending photo radar to other locations with high incidents of speeding and collisions. The survey also gauges the public’s reaction to their ‘WTF? Why That Fast?’ campaign.

On the surface, this seems like a well-meaning attempt to address traffic violations and improve road safety. But is it really about safety, or is it simply a new way for the city and province to dig deeper into our pockets?

Let me be clear from the start: speeding is illegal, and it puts lives at risk. I have grandchildren, and their safety is paramount to me. When I’m out walking the dogs, I often see drivers speeding through residential areas. It infuriates me, as it does many of you. We’ve all seen drivers fly past us, only for us to pull up behind them at the next stoplight. What did they gain by speeding? Seconds, if that.

From this perspective, it’s hard to argue against the need for enforcement. Yet, as a former Chair of the Winnipeg Police Board, I also know the financial reality behind this issue. The revenue generated from photo radar tickets isn’t just a happy accident; it’s baked into the police service’s budget. In 2023 alone, Winnipeg Police received over $11.5 million from photo radar fines. When ticket revenue falls short, the budget takes a hit. So yes, the argument that this is a money grab holds water.

Let’s talk about Mayor Gillingham’s recent survey. It’s a tool to gauge public appetite, but it also looks suspiciously like a way for the city to justify finding new methods to tax us. More cameras, more tickets, more revenue—it's a predictable cycle. However, we must ask ourselves a fundamental question: Would we rather have more police officers on our streets dealing with violent crime, or have them handing out traffic violations?

We’re facing a crisis of violent crime in Winnipeg. It’s clear we need our police focusing on tackling these serious issues, not spending their shifts writing traffic tickets. So here’s where I see a potential compromise—if we are reasonable people, that is.

I’ve heard complaints about photo radar vehicles being hidden, parked strategically to catch drivers off-guard. This only fuels the belief that photo radar is a revenue-generating trap, not a safety measure. In Edmonton, photo radar vehicles are required by law to be bright yellow and easily visible. The logic is simple: if you miss a big yellow vehicle, then that’s on you. It removes the element of surprise and puts the onus on drivers to obey the law.

I propose we do the same in Winnipeg. Change the legislation to require bright yellow photo radar vehicles that can set up anywhere, not just in school zones or construction sites. This visibility would act as a deterrent, which is the point of enforcement in the first place—to prevent speeding, not to ambush drivers. If you still get caught speeding, then there’s no excuse.

When I was involved with a Police Service in Ontario many years ago, the Chief introduced a smart initiative to tackle speeding. He would have an unused police vehicle parked at known high-speed areas, positioned as if it were conducting radar checks. The results were impressive; the service tracked a significant reduction in speeding simply from the presence of the parked vehicle. It was a brilliant and cost-effective approach that worked surprisingly well.

There’s another aspect to this debate that’s worth considering. Many jurisdictions have traffic enforcement officers who are not fully-fledged police officers. They handle ticketing and traffic violations, freeing up police to focus on more serious crime. It’s a practical approach that maintains enforcement without compromising public safety. This is something Winnipeg could explore instead of burdening our already stretched police service with traffic duties.

No one likes the idea of more taxes or fines, and I understand why the suggestion of more photo radar leaves a bad taste in people’s mouths. It feels like just another way for the city to extract money from residents. But the reality is, we’re in a difficult position. We don’t want to raise taxes, and we certainly don’t want to defund the police. In that context, photo radar, as unpopular as it may be, is a compromise.

Now, about the survey. It’s become a crutch for Mayor Gillingham and city councillors—a way to avoid taking a firm stance. Surveys give them an excuse: “We listened to the people,” they’ll say, without acknowledging the concerns of those who disagree. Leadership requires making tough decisions, even if it means facing criticism. It reminds me of my time as a hockey official; when you make a call, half the crowd hates you. But the job isn’t about being liked—it’s about making the right call.

In this case, I believe the right call is to adopt a sensible approach. Let’s use technology wisely and make the photo radar vehicles visible. Let’s consider using dedicated traffic enforcement officers instead of stretching our police resources thin. And let’s be honest with ourselves: the revenue from these tickets is not going away. It’s an integral part of the city’s budget, whether we like it or not.

This commentary won’t make everyone happy, and I know it will spark debate. But let’s take a step back and be reasonable. Speeding is a problem. It endangers our loved ones and our community. But the solution shouldn’t be sneaky or driven solely by the desire for revenue. If we can make photo radar a visible deterrent, use specialized enforcement officers, and keep our police focused on fighting violent crime, I believe we can find a balance.

We can’t please everyone, but we can make smart, fair decisions that prioritize safety without treating Winnipeggers as cash cows. That’s what good governance looks like. It’s time we started seeing more of it.