Installed on the Dufferin-Montmorency highway (A440) since February, the fixed speed camera surprised more than 31,500 speeding motorists, making it the most deployed speed camera across Quebec since it went live.
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In June alone, almost 9,500 criminal complaints were issued by the device, located 150 meters from the intersection of Boulevard François-De Laval, where the speed limit is 70 km/h.
The photo radar installed on the Dufferin Montmorency highway since February is by far the most effective of all fixed speed cameras in Quebec. More than 30,000 speeding tickets were issued in 5 months in Quebec as of Thursday, July 13, 2023. ILLENIUM. STEVENS LEBLANC/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC/QMI AGENCY) Photo Stevens LeBlanc
According to the latest figures released by the Department of Justice, a total of 31,560 fines have been issued since its inception on February 3, equating to $4,708,150.
No other stationary radar was as efficient during this period…by a long shot.
At Mirabel, the two closest “competitors” are the device located 320 meters from Chemin de la Côte Nord on Highway 15 South and the device at the intersection of Boulevard Charest Ouest and Avenue Saint-Sacrement in Quebec City.
From February 1 to June 31, the first case accumulated 25,689 fines totaling $2,789,953, while the second case accumulated nearly 11,903 fines totaling $1,175,065.
A falling speed
“That doesn’t make any sense, it’s really worrying! “You can see that the sector is really problematic,” plagues Daniel Fortin.
Daniel Fortin, Jackson’s father, who died in the Dufferin-Montmorency accident, for a report on the delays in providing psychological care to crime victims or SAAQ compensated individuals in Levis, Thursday, March 31, 2022. STEVENS LEBLANC/ JOURNAL DE QUEBEC /AGENCE QMI) Photo Stevens LeBlanc
His son Jackson Fortin died in the fatal accident that claimed four lives in September 2021 and was the starting point of the analysis that led to the radar’s installation.
However, data from the Department of Transportation shows that between January and April, average speeds fell by 11% in the right and center lanes and by 5% in the left lane.
Despite these numbers, Mr Fortin has refused to take that route since the accident, and he’s not the only one.
“We have many citizens who, out of fear and anxiety, have completely refrained from this exit. We had another collision at this location this winter,” said Isabelle Roy, Robert-Giffard Borough Councillor.
An exit to be condemned
Mr Fortin and Ms Roy agree that the use of photo radar is good and helps raise public awareness of this section, but it is far from enough, they say.
“This crossbreed should be completely reviewed,” said the grieving father.
For her part, District Councilor Robert-Giffard remains convinced that the ultimate solution lies in the completion of Phase IV of the Promenade Samuel-De Champlain and the development of an urban boulevard.
“But we are aware that it will take time. Until then, I believe the lesser evil would be to condemn this outing,” says Ms. Roy.
The minister responsible for the Capitale-Nationale, Jonatan Julien, who was contacted by Le Journal, declined to comment on the situation.
The 10 most lucrative stationary speed cameras*
*From February 1st to June 31st, 2023
Source: Department of Justice
Average speed on the A440**
January
- Right: 78.6 km/h
- Middle: 80.1 km/h
- Left: 67 km/h
April
- Right: 69.9 km/h (-11%)
- Center: 71.4 km/h (-11%)
- Left: 63.8 km/h (-5%)
**Via Boulevard François-De Laval
Vehicles reaching or exceeding the 70 km/h limit** on the A440**
January
- Correct: 79%
- Middle: 81.5%
- Left: 37.5%
April
- Right: 43.7% (-45%)
- Middle: 51.7% (-37%)
- Left: 21.8% (-42%)
**Via Boulevard François-De Laval
Source: Ministry of Transport
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