Speed cameras set to go in 8 school zones around Waterloo region

People who don't slow down in school zones in Waterloo region could expect a ticket starting this fall, even if they're not pulled over by police.

Regional councilapproved a plan to implement automated speed enforcementcameras at eight school zones during a meeting on Wednesday.

Theprogram will be launched by the start of this school year at select locations, which will be chosen bylocal officials in the three cities, townships as well as byregional staff.

The region was planning to initiate the program with 32 locations but that was scaled back because of the financial situation caused by the COVID-19.

Bob Henderson, manager of transportation engineering with the region, says the program runs very similar to the red light camera program.

"We felt that launching an automated speed enforcement program within a select number of school zones onlywas a very transparent program and it made a lot of sense," Henderson said.

"We want to create a road environment that is safer for kids to walk to school and to encourage kids to walk to school instead of having their parents drive them to school because of the fear of a roadway."

Transparent program

Additions to the Highway Traffic Act last year cleared the way for local governments to install the cameras. A number of municipalities are planning to or have introduced the program, including Toronto.

Drivers will be given a 90 day notice when the cameras will be installed and tickets are issued. The cameras won'tonly work during the school year or school hours, but will be on all day and all year long.

"It's considered a school zone over the course of the year, whether school is in or not," Henderson said. "Kids often go to the playground at their school. So it's a facility that you use all year round."

The region estimates the initial set up will cost approximately$360,000.

The annual operating cost is scheduled to be about $135,000, while the region estimates annual ticket revenues between $200,000 to $400,000.

Schools being considered for the ASE program

Region of Waterloo

• Laurentian Public School Westmount Road.
• Sandhills Public School Victoria Street.
• Forest Hill Public School Westmount Road.
• Conestogo Public School Sawmill Road.

City of Waterloo

• Keats Way Public School,Keats Way.
• Sir Edgar Bauer Catholic School, Glen Forest Boulevard.
• Lester B. Pearson / St. Lukes Catholic School, Chesapeake Drive.
• Elizabeth Ziegler Public School, Moore Avenue.

City of Kitchener

• Lackner Woods Public School,Zeller Drive.
• St. Anne Catholic Elementary School, East Avenue.
• St. John's Catholic Elementary School, Strange Street.
• FranklinPublic School, Franklin St. N.

City of Cambridge

No locations were available but Cambridge will participate in the ASE program.

Township of Wellesley

• St. Clements Catholic School, Lobsinger Line.
• Wellesley Public School, Queen's Bush Road.

Township of Wilmot

• Sir Adam Beck Public School,Snyder's Road.
• Waterloo Oxford S.S., Snyder's Road.
• New Dundee Public School,Bridge Street.
• Forest Glen Public School,Waterloo Street.

Township of Woolwich

• New Jerusalem Parochial School, New Jerusalem Road.
• Clearview Mennonite School,Three Bridges Road.
• Mennonite Parochial School,Floradale Road.
• Foundation Christian School, Katherine Street.

Township of North Dumfries

• Cedar Creek Public School,Hilltop Drive.
• Ayr Public School,Hall Street.
• St. Brigid Catholic School, Broom Street