Candidates Clash Over Photo Radar in Elmwood-East Kildonan Race

The upcoming byelection for the Elmwood-East Kildonan council seat has sparked a heated debate over the use of photo radar technology in school zones. The district is home to Winnipeg’s most notorious speed trap, located on Talbot Avenue, where over 65,000 violations have been recorded in the past decade. Candidates are now racing to position themselves as advocates for road safety while addressing the frustrations of local drivers.

Both Emma Durand-Wood, co-founder of Safe Speeds Winnipeg, and Chris Sweryda, a law student and independent researcher, have strong opinions on the effectiveness and implications of photo radar. Durand-Wood supports the technology as a tool for safety but criticizes the lack of accountability in how the revenue is utilized. “It’s a tool we should be using a lot more,” she stated, emphasizing the need for funds generated from photo enforcement to be reinvested into infrastructure improvements in high-violation areas.

Introduced in October 2001, photo radar was designed to deter speeding and red-light violations. However, the ongoing debate raises questions about its actual impact on safety, particularly for students at River Elm School and École Voix Des Prairies. The city’s police department reported an average monthly revenue of $4 million from photo enforcement, leading some candidates to label it a “cash grab.”

Sweryda, who has worked closely with city councillor Jason Schreyer before his passing in April 2023, contends that the system disproportionately affects lower-income individuals. He argues that violations do not accurately reflect individual driving behavior, as there are no demerit points assigned for offenses captured by cameras. “It’s a driving tax and an attack against poor people,” he remarked, criticizing the city for failing to address the root causes of speeding.

The mayor of Winnipeg, Scott Gillingham, has expressed a willingness to consider data-driven solutions to enhance road safety. He acknowledged the ongoing issues with certain school zones being repeated hotspots for violations. Gillingham pointed out that traffic-calming measures, such as speed humps, have been successful in other areas and could be expanded in response to community needs.

The conversation around these camera-equipped speed traps intensified when candidate Braydon Mazurkiewich referred to them as “cash grab traps.” He has pledged to remove special designations that contribute to increased enforcement around local schools if elected. His campaign draws inspiration from the controversial policies of Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who has announced plans to ban speed cameras in Ontario, despite pushback from municipal leaders.

Mazurkiewich’s approach resonates with many frustrated drivers who feel targeted by these enforcement measures. He stated, “Get out to vote to make sure that we don’t get bike lanes on Henderson Highway!” in a recent online video, reflecting a populist sentiment that echoes Ford’s rhetoric.

Meanwhile, community members have begun voicing their concerns about road safety, particularly for vulnerable groups like children and elderly pedestrians. “Most people don’t want to speed in a school zone,” Durand-Wood noted, highlighting the importance of dialogue with constituents about their experiences. She recounted personal stories, including the tragic death of her brother in a traffic incident, which fuel her commitment to improving safety.

Both candidates are advocating for systemic changes, albeit from different perspectives. Durand-Wood calls for a blanket residential speed limit of 30 km/h to create uniformity across the city, while Sweryda believes that the focus should shift away from punitive measures and toward behavioral changes among drivers.

As the byelection approaches, voter sentiment appears to be increasingly divided over the role of photo radar in their community. With significant stakes involved in the outcome, Elmwood-East Kildonan residents are urged to consider the candidates’ positions carefully, as the future of road safety measures hangs in the balance.

The byelection will take place on Saturday, October 7, 2023, marking a crucial moment for the community as it navigates the complexities surrounding traffic enforcement and public safety.