Toronto speed camera near High Park issued $2.2M worth of tickets
The speed camera near High Park is once again leading the way, doling out tickets for infractions, according to data newly released by the City of Toronto.
And the camera isn’t always running 24 hours per day.
“Categorically it is an unsafe street,” said Neelan Rach, who lives on Parkside Drive and often carries his dog Archie on the narrow sidewalks to ensure his safety due to the speeding traffic. “I believe anyone who uses this street, whether a driver, a pedestrian or a cyclist is taking a risk.”
The numbers tell a tale: in the 10 months since the camera was installed on Parkside Dr. in April 2022, 21,252 tickets have been issued for speeding infractions—the most among Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) cameras in operation. It is also the camera in operation the longest.
The average fine in Toronto of $107 per ticket, meaning the city has accrued an estimated $2,273,964 in revenue from this lone traffic camera.
“Not a week goes by [that] you don’t find something shocking on this street,” said Faraz Gholizadeh, who has been pushing for more action on top of a speed camera.
The camera isn’t always in operation, according to an email exchange with a ASE project manager.
“The devices are turned off for part of the day in order to help us manage the number of infractions received and we're able to process as many tickets as we can,” Trevor Kanhai said in an email dated December 13.
A City of Toronto spokesperson told CTV News Toronto ASE devices “are operational for 24 hours; however, they can be turned off for part of the day to allow the city to ensure the quality of its ticket issuance.”
“In such scenarios, the schedule is randomized, and the times change regularly to have the greatest impact on changing driver behaviour,” added Nadia Araujo.
But Rach and Gholizadeh say regardless of the city trying to keep drivers on their toes—and their brakes—the numbers don’t lie.
“The interventions undertaken so far aren’t working,” Rach said.
“So here we are as residents, we are sounding the alarm, loud and clear, saying it’s only a matter of time before there is another tragedy.”
The camera was installed and the speed limit on Parkside Dr. lowered to 40 km/h after the deaths of Fatima and Valdemar Avila in a five-vehicle collision in October 2021.
Some residents say the answer is a complete redesign of the street, which has long been viewed by commuters as a necessary thoroughfare between Bloor St. and Lake Shore Blvd. to access the Gardiner Expressway.
Ward 4 Parkside—High Park Councillor Gord Perks confirmed to CTV News Toronto that city engineers have been looking at redesign plans, and an update is expected in May.
Keith Szynkowski looks down at the speed camera on Parkside Dr. from his front window. He disagrees with some of his neighbours that the street needs to become more residential—noting people have to “get from A to B” and it is one of few arteries in the area.
He does have one idea.
“Bike lanes!” he exclaimed. “I say this as a motorist and a cyclist: nothing pleases me more to see a cyclist in his own lane, separated safely from the motorist.
As for how to stop the speeding cars, some of his neighbours say progress continues to stall.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.
'A tiny city:' Pro-Palestinian campus protesters organize for another week
Pro-Palestinian activists have set up tents at universities in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver and Montreal, following a wave of similar protests at campuses in the United States linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
A Holocaust survivor will mark that history differently after the horrors of Oct. 7
This year's Holocaust Remembrance Day, which begins on Sunday evening in Israel, carries a heavier weight than usual for many Jews around the world.
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members and honoured her late mother during separate ceremonies Sunday in Victoria as she wrapped up a three-day British Columbia West Coast royal visit.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.