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Red light cameras like this one in London may be coming to Kingston in 2022 if city council agrees to the plan in November.

The adoption of red light cameras could reduce red light running by half and cut the number of serious right-angle collisions by 25 per cent, according to city staff.

City council is to decide in November if it wants to spend more than $530,000 for red light cameras at a minimum of 10 intersections.

City staff outlined some of the details about the program at a pair of public information sessions at City Hall on Monday.

“We (would) see improved driver behaviour across the city, well beyond the location of the cameras,” Deanna Green, manager of the city’s traffic department, said.

The earliest the city can install the red light cameras is 2022, as it would take about two years for the agreements to be signed and the equipment installed, Green said.

There are about 60 right-angle collisions each year in Kingston and about 35 percent of them result in injuries or fatalities.

Green said the red light cameras would provide an efficient tool that would allow police officers to be freed up for other duties. In addition to not having to patrol the intersections for red light violations, officers would not have to appear in court for tickets issued by red light cameras.

The fine for running a red light is $325, although if issued by a red light camera, there would be no demerit points. If a police officer were to issue a similar ticket, it would come with three demerit points.

“These cameras only capture the worst of the worst, the most aggressive drivers,” Green said.

The red light camera system takes two photos. The first one shows the vehicle before it enters the intersection, while the second photo would show the vehicle not stopping.

Green said every ticket issued through a red light camera is reviewed by provincial offences officers, and there are many instances when they will be thrown out.

Eight Ontario municipalities currently use red light cameras, including Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, York, Mississauga, Peel Region and London. Three more are planning to adopt the technology in 2022.

Red light cameras were part of a new strategy adopted by council last month that is designed to reduce injuries and fatalities on the city’s roads.


Source: The Kingston Whig-Standard