Aug. 11.

Transportation Minister Harinder Takhar has stated that the Greater Toronto Area red light camera project is about safety, not about making money. I am sure Premier Dalton McGuinty will also maintain the return of photo radar to Ontario highways is also about safety and not about making money. Both can prove they are correct in their statements. In order to do so, the province will have to install warning signs for photo radar locations and the municipalities will have to install warning signs for red light camera locations. Warning motorists they are approaching a photo-controlled area would be absolute proof that the primary use of the technology is for safety and not as a source of revenue.

In her story, City Hall bureau chief Kerry Gillespie quotes a 48 per cent decrease in injuries and fatalities from right-angle collisions as a result of the past years' red light camera pilot project. The intersections with the cameras had an overall decrease of 18 per cent. From personal observation, I would be comfortable in stating that the reduction on those intersections with cameras would have been closer to 90 per cent, if warning signs had been used.

Photo radar and red light cameras are used extensively in Australia. Last April, I visited Sydney for three weeks. I was amazed at how well speed and red light traffic violations were controlled.

The approach to any section of highway, which because of curves, merging traffic, etc. required definite enforcement of speed limits, was dotted with warning signs. The signs warned motorists of the photo radar locations ahead. The result: Motorists slowed down. Warning signs were also used to warn motorists that the next intersection was equipped with red light cameras. The result: Motorists slowed down and safely stopped at the traffic light.

As a safety professional, I was interested enough to stop and observe how motorists reacted to these warning signs. I have never been to any country where the majority of motorists drive along the highway at, or below, the speed limit. I did not see anybody speed through an intersection. The traffic lights and speed limits were being observed. Although I did not observe anyone being ticketed, I am sure it happens — as a minor percentage. It is obvious the Australian states and municipalities are not receiving a great deal of revenue from speeding fines or red light violations. It is also obvious that the warning signs are effective in dramatically reducing accidents. One cannot doubt the primary use of these photo-control devices is for safety, not for making money.

If Takhar and McGuinty are honestly interested in safety, they will also use warning signs.

Mario Migliazza, Richmond Hill