Photo of Councillors Agarwal, Bentz, Pasqualino, Ch'ng and Zussino - Acadia File Photo

City council has directed administration to review the options available to implement a red light camera program following a request from Councillor Michael Zussino.

The camera program was brought to the table at the previous council but ultimately failed.

“Back in 2021, we were presented with really one option and one option only, and it was a very expensive option, there was actually some significant risk to the taxpayer having to cover the cost in the event that not a sufficient amount of revenue is raised from those fines,” highlighted Councillor Albert Aiello. “I’m supportive of this just (be)cause it seems that there’s possible other options out there that should be explored, because like Councilor Foulds said we want a safer city.”

Councillor Zussino highlighted to council that this will help community safety.

“We have seen a deterioration in driving habits as observed by 1000 vehicles passing bus stop arms in 2023 which was in comparison to 700 the year previous,” explained Councillor Michael Zussino. “We’ve also had over 200 people charged with impaired driving during the festive ride program which has been kind of consistent over the last five years, so I would kind of note that driving habits have not improved over the last three or four years.”

Zussino went on to explain that other municipalities that are utilizing the program saw the rate of car accidents reduced, while the municipalities were able to recoup the cost of the program sparking further expansion of their use of the program.

Administration was directed to report back before the end of October with the potential costs, revenues, timelines for initiation of the program, and a recommendation of locations.