Please Don’t Hate Speed Cameras
Despite growing calls for their removal and a recent wave of vandalism targeting speed cameras, new research shows that these devices are effectively fulfilling their purpose: reducing dangerous driving near schools.
A study by The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and Toronto Metropolitan University found that Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) cameras resulted in a 45% decrease in speeding across 250 school zones between July 2020 and December 2022.
The study also revealed that most drivers were traveling over 10 km/h slower than before, making school zones safer for children.
“Speed is the leading factor in child pedestrian injuries,” says Dr. Andrew Howard of SickKids. “These cameras are a proven way to reduce that risk.”
The findings come amid backlash from some drivers and residents who argue that the cameras invade their privacy and create financial strain. However, the data indicate that when the cameras were removed, speeding quickly returned to previous levels, suggesting that the surveillance is a strong deterrent.
The study did not directly measure injury rates but supports global evidence that slower speeds lead to fewer pedestrian injuries.
As part of Toronto’s Vision Zero plan, future studies will explore how speed cameras and safer road designs can be integrated to protect pedestrians, particularly children.
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