Speed radar cameras debate in N.S resurfaces amid road safety improvements

Some Halifax councillors believe photo radar could help reduce speeding in the municipality.

It’s been discussed for years, but speed cameras could be coming to Nova Scotia roads in the near future.

“The use of technology, such as speed cameras, is being contemplated under the Traffic Safety Act,” Toby Koffman, communications director for the Department of Public Works, told CTV News Atlantic in an email on Friday.

Tony Mancini, councillor for Dartmouth East Burnside, says he is in favour of speed radars cameras being adopted, to help combat persistent speeding in the region.

“I think it’s the best answer that we have in front of us. There used to be a time we had a much larger traffic enforcement department. It doesn’t exist anymore. It’s a very small group. I really think this is a solution to help reduce the speed and make our streets safer,” says Mancini.

Dartmouth Centre Councillor Sam Austin agrees with Mancini on the use of technology as a deterrent.

“The police cannot be everywhere. But the thing about a camera, it’s always on. It nails every single speeder, and there’s no possibility of any kind of bias,” says Austin.

Speed cameras have been used in several provinces, including Alberta, but they decided to reassess the decision not long after.

In Ottawa, a record number of tickets were issued from photo cameras last year.

One Halifax woman says she’s open to the idea of radar cameras.

“I think that it’d be good to have them just to keep people aware to not go crazy speeds. Especially in populated streets where people are crossing the roads a lot,” she says.

One Halifax man says calls speed radar cameras a “cash grab” and believes drivers will quickly catch on to ways to avoid them.

“It’s a matter of time before all these speed trap cameras show up on Google Maps, so people will know,” he says.

Mancini disagrees that radar cameras are a cash grab.

“Some of that money we collect doesn’t even all come to the municipality. We have to share some of that money with the province. This is not about money. This is about getting people to slow down,” he says.

The province says the revised Traffic Safety Act will be completed in 2026.

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