Smile, you could be on camera
Five red light cameras went live in the Tri-Cities this week in an effort to reduce serious crashes and prevent traffic injuries and fatalities.
According to ICBC, 40% of police-attended traffic accidents occur at intersections and the province is hoping motorists will be more cautious knowing cameras are in place.
“We’ve seen too often the carnage of intersection crashes,” said RCMP Lower Mainland traffic services Supt. Norm Gaumont. “High-risk driving has no place on our roads and we’ll do everything we can to go after those drivers who have a complete disregard for others.”
In Coquitlam, intersection safety cameras went live at Lougheed Highway and Pinetree Way, Barnet Highway and Mariner Way and Guildford Way; and Lougheed at Pitt River Road.
A total of three cameras will be in operation in Port Coquitlam by the end of the year and so far one has been installed one the Mary Hill Bypass at Pitt River Road and another at the bypass and Shaughnessy Street.
The province insists the program is meant to improve safety on local roads, not increase the number of ticket revenue brought in by the cameras. ICBC said that sites were chosen based on accident statistics and more than 140 cameras would be placed at B.C.’s highest-risk intersections. For more information or to see a map of the locations, go to www.icbc.com.
gmckenna@tricitynews.com
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