WATCH: Speed cameras may soon be installed on one of southern Vancouver Island’s most dangerous stretches of road. The province is now asking for public input on the use of “point-to-point” cameras on the Malahat. Mary Griffin reports.
Islanders have until March 1 to provide input on whether there should be a pilot project for point-to-point speed cameras on the Malahat.
Capital Regional District (CRD) Traffic Safety is facilitating public opinion on the concept of interval cameras that photograph each car that passes through a camera zone.
A time over distance calculation is made to determine the speed of a vehicle travelling between zones.
We are now helping to facilitate public input for @mikefarnworthbc (Public Safety/Solicitor General minister) on the concept of a Point-to-Point speed cameras pilot project on the #Malahat. Please weigh in here until March 1st: https://t.co/iMS8uLNwNl#yyjtraffic #yyj #yyjpoli
— CRD Traffic (@CRDTraffic) February 15, 2018
CRD Traffic Safety posted a video explaining point-to-point cameras, citing a study from Scotland that reported the number of fatalities and serious injuries dropped by 74 per cent after interval cameras were in place on a particular stretch of road plagued by crashes.
Similiar findings have been found in studies in Australia, Italy, Austria and the Netherlands.
The website includes a contact form for public input.
The CRD Traffic Safety Safety Commission believes the cameras would be an effective way to reduce crashes on the Malahat.
Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth said he is willing to testing the cameras, but only if there is public support for the trial.
The commision says this is not photo radar and is intended to target drivers who consistently speed over a large stretch of the Malahat, such as from Goldstream Park or Mill Bay to the Shawnigan Lake turnoff.
Drivers would also be warned repeatedly with signage indicating speed is being monitored.
B.C. Solicitor General and Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says he is willing to consider point-to-point speed cameras on the Malahat, but only with public support for such a trial.
Andy Neal
