Dear Editor:
The fact some city councillors are exploring the use of photo radar speaks to their naive understanding of the technology. Coun. Dan Johnson has it right when he worries the RCMP will use it as a general tool, instead of actually doing enforcement. Calgary uses this technology, but they use mobile units that are moved to various locations throughout the city.
Yes, Canada Way and Royal Oak are but two of numerous locations in Burnaby where speeding and accidents are regular occurrences, as is Willingdon, between Central Boulevard and the traffic light at Maywood Street, where the amber light for many means to speed up, not slow down and stop. If council decides to waste money on this technology, they need to concentrate this technology in more locations than just the couple mentioned by council members. How about instead of wasting money on this technology, they instruct the RCMP to up their traffic enforcement, because there is nothing more effective in slowing down drivers than to see a police cruiser, with an officer doing enforcement.
In addition, the installation of stop light cameras, which is used effectively by Vancouver, would also be a method of cutting down the incidents of drivers running amber lights, instead of yielding to vehicles already in the intersections, trying to make a left-hand turn.
Wayne McQueen, Burnaby
