This Toronto Speed Camera Has Cost Drivers Over $3 Million In Tickets & The Number Keeps Rising
It hasn't slowed people down.
Parkside Drive near Algonquin Avenue
Folks, did you know Toronto has its very own million-dollar machine? One that, sadly, has nothing to do with personal wealth.
The city's most lucrative speed camera continues to pull in an impressive salary, raking in a whopping $3.3 million from speed-happy drivers, and the metre just keeps on ticking.
Located on Parkside Drive near Algonquin Avenue, this camera has been flashing its way to the top of Toronto's 75 traffic enforcement devices since its installation in the spring of 2022. It's been the city's highest-ticketed camera 13 times. Coincidence? We think not.
How did it accrue such an impressive net worth? By issuing a whopping 31,006 tickets at an average ticket fee of $107, which, for the record, has resulted in a total of $3,317,642 being poured into the city's funds.
But here's where it gets interesting. Even though the speed tracker has caught countless motorists in the act since being installed, it apparently has done little to deter Toronto's fastest drivers.
This reality has forced community organization Safe Parkside to continuously work with the city to solve the issue. Armed with the speed camera's most recent data, they're pushing for the city to do more about the constant stream of dangerous speedsters.
As of August 2023, the city is at work, studying Parkside Drive and looking for ways to boost safety and mobility, especially for those on foot, on bikes, or simply more vulnerable on the roads. By teaming up with the community, they hope to reshape the area into a corridor that's safe for everyone.
The city is considering a number of transportation solutions in collaboration with the High Park Movement Strategy. Potential interventions being examined include:
- Reduction in the number of lanes designated for motor vehicles
- Establishment of new cycling facilities
- Redesigning intersections and considering road realignments
- Adjusting traffic management strategies to enhance the flow and safety.
- Introducing street furniture and incorporating green infrastructure elements.
- Providing designated areas for short-term parking.