Speed cameras and more speed radar signs coming to Orillia streets

'We've had complaints from citizens that people are speeding ... where our youngest and most vulnerable are, so this is a good way to do it,' says mayor

New signs such as this will be posted on Fittons Road West, Park Street and Westmount Drive South in Orillia in the near future before automated speed cameras are installed in the area.Raymond Bowe/BarrieToday

Orillia drivers will be warned before three automated speed cameras are put in place in areas where speeding is a common occurrence.

Council approved a plan Monday to purchase and install photo speed cameras on Fittons Road West, Park Street and Westmount Drive South. These areas are already designated community safety zones (CSZ) with a reduced speed limit of 40 km/hr but traffic data shows 50 to 60 per cent of drivers are speeding through them.

Mayor Don McIsaac said these measures are necessary due to the frequency of speeding through town — especially in these areas.

"We've had complaints from citizens that people are speeding, particularly in school areas, where our youngest and most vulnerable are, so this is a good way to do it," he said.

The Fittons Road West cameras will be placed at the intersection of Alexander Road. The Park Street cameras will be located between Calverley Street and North Street West. The Westmount Drive cameras will be set up between Linwood and Grenville avenues.

Before the automatic speed cameras are set up, warning signs have to be displayed for 90 days, said McIsaac. It's expected the cameras will start operating in the fall.

Fines for infractions will follow the Highway Traffic Act and are double in CSZs.

Coun. Janet-Lynne Durnford asked Steven Murphy, the city's project engineer — transportation, if fines will be shared with insurance companies.

"It is a mailed out fine from the City of Orillia to the offender. We do not send any information to insurance companies," Murphy said.

Council also approved the purchase of three more mobile radar signs and an Armadillo Tracker, a compact and inconspicuous grey box designed to record traffic volume and speed. Orillia currently has two mobile radar signs.

Murphy's report to council said the total expenditure will be $35,000 of the $50,000 budget.

Radar signs serve as a temporary traffic-calming measure, wrote Murphy in a report to city council.

"These devices display vehicle speeds as drivers approach, raising awareness and encouraging reduced speeds. The effectiveness of these signs is typically short-term, with reductions in driver speeds lasting four to 10 weeks before returning to pre-installation levels," Murphy wrote.

Council members were each asked for locations where constituents have been complaining about speeding. The nine members quickly came up with 18 potential locations for radar signs.

Those locations are: