A city council committee is exploring the idea of installing red-light cameras at intersections in a bid to save lives.
While staff investigate the issue, some London drivers say it’s a good move.
"I think some people need them, including myself. If you know that Big Brother is watching and you'll get a ticket if you run through that light (it will help),” says James Stanley.
Many Canadians and U.S. cities, including those surrounding the Greater Toronto area, already have cameras.
In most instances, they have reduced injury and death, by as much as 35 percent.
The cameras may be an enforcement tool, but they are also a deterrent.
"It's a combination of both, of having the cameras there and making people think, before they actually go ahead and run through… the intersection. And as well, the general safety, education perspective,” says Edward Soldo, the city’s director of roads and transportation.
It could provide some extra cash for the city, too.
“Initially, there might be some revenue generating through the program. There are municipalities who do generate quite a bit of revenue from the red-light cameras, but we’re looking at it from a revenue neutral perspective. The main purpose is to improve safety at intersections.
There is still a lot of time to debate the issue as the cameras wouldn’t be installed until early 2017.
