London is a step closer to adding more red light cameras and photo radar.
The civic works committee unanimously backed the idea of expanding the two automated traffic enforcement measures on Wednesday.
London currently has 10 red light cameras placed at busy intersections and two mobile photo radar units that are rotated around 13 school zones.
In a report presented at the meeting, city staff recommended doubling the number of red light cameras to 20 and increasing photo radar units to seven.
Since the first red light camera was installed in the spring of 2017, the number of angle collisions at the selected intersections has decreased by 8 to 11 per cent and collisions involving injuries have gone down by approximately 40 per cent, staff said.
In the school zones where the mobile photo radar unit had been placed, the average speed of drivers dropped 7 km/h while the camera was present and 5 km/h even after the camera and signs had been moved to another location.
“Overall, there is a net safety improvement and a positive overall safety cost benefit,” the report stated.
Ward 6 Councillor Sam Trosow spoke favourably of the traffic safety initiative calling it a "good program."
Ward 7 Councillor Corrine Rahman said she would like to see more photo radar units placed in school zones beyond the seven recommended.
London retains the revenue from the cameras which is used to cover the costs of the program. Any excess revenue is used to finance other road safety initiatives in the city.
The plan will go to full council on June 6 for final approval.
