Surprise! $3.12M in N.L. speed camera tickets coming in snail mail
CBC
The province is now mailing out 8,000 speeding tickets worth more than $3 million after the speed camera program was paused by last fall's two-month Canada Post strike.
That means thousands of drivers are in for a big, expensive surprise as they receive tickets for anywhere between $200 and $1,900 in the mail — and some drivers may get more than one.
"The previous administration held off putting tickets out in the mail. That was a decision at that time and, as I'm new to this portfolio, I didn't want to make any knee jerk decisions," Minister of Government Services Mike Goosney told CBC News.
"But we'll start rolling out the program here in the very near future."
Rotating Canada Post strikes ended in November and the former Minister of Government Services believes the Progressive Conservative government should have sent speed camera tickets out more quickly.
"Obviously, one of the platforms of the PC government was safer communities. We know that speed cameras significantly impact driver behavior. So people slow down and there are fewer accidents when there are speed cameras," said government services Opposition critic Sarah Stoodley.
"Obviously, if you're not sending out tickets, people's behaviour may not change. So I think it's extremely disappointing."
The speed camera program had another setback as well. Last summer the solar panels that energize the speed cameras on Veterans Memorial Highway were stolen.
"While this was disappointing, the vendor acted quickly to ensure the camera continued operating using an alternative power source while repairs were completed," said Goosney.
There are seven speed cameras operating across the province. They are located on Waterford Bridge Road and Larkhall Street in St. John’s, Blackmarsh Road in Mount Pearl, Karwood Drive in Paradise, the Trans-Canada Highway in Gander, as well as two locations on the Veterans Memorial Highway.
"Camera locations are selected based on traffic data and in consultation with police and municipalities where excessive speeding presents a safety risk," said a statement from Government Services.
Three more cameras are coming. The program started last July and so far $45,338 in fines have been collected, according to Government Services.
The previous Liberal government signed a $3.9 million dollar, five-year contract with Jenoptik Smart Mobility Solutions to install, operate and maintain speed cameras. The cameras detect speeds and capture images of license plates. Tickets are issued to the registered owner of a vehicle caught speeding.
Goosney said the Progressive Conservative government is committed to continuing the program.
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