"The fact is red light cameras help save lives and prevent needless injury. One third of deaths at municipal intersections with traffic lights are due to red light running," Takhar said. "We have worked with municipalities to ensure that drivers who run red lights pay the fine."
The government has made the necessary regulatory change so that tickets issued at intersections with red light cameras are valid in court. The change was necessary after a red light camera ticket was successfully challenged on a
technicality.
A two-year pilot project, started by the previous government, found that red light cameras reduce serious and fatal injury collisions by close to seven per cent. Given these results, in August 2004 the provincial government gave
municipalities the option of using red light cameras at intersections to improve safety.
The red light camera program is another example of how the Ontario government is helping to create safe and strong communities that offer Ontarians a higher quality of life.