The radar on the Dufferin-Montmorency highway in Quebec surprises on average 206 drivers per day since installation less than a year ago, That's much more than any other device in the province.
The machine is so lucrative that it brings in an average of more than $29,000 a day for the state, twice as much as the second most active machine at Mirabel.
At least that's what we see when we compare the latest data updated by the Department of Justice, dated December 31, 2023, obtained by TVA Nouvelles.
“Obviously it was installed in a place where it was absolutely necessary,” notes André Durocher, road safety expert at CAA-Quebec.
This photo radar has generated more than $9.6 million for the government by issuing more than 68,000 tickets since it became operational in February 2023.
On September 2, 2021, four people from the same family died at this intersection. Archive photo, Agence QMI (Guy Martel)
The stationary speed cameras on Highway 15 South in Mirabel and at the intersection of Boulevard Charest Ouest and Avenue Saint-Sacrement in Quebec rank second and third in this regard.
For comparison: Since taking office, they have reported an average of 109 and 73 violations per day, respectively. Thanks to these donations, they also collect $14,130 and $7,959 daily.
Not a panacea
Remember that the installation of the device on the Dufferin-Montmorency highway last February followed the tragedy that claimed four lives at this intersection in September 2021.
It is located near Boulevard François-de-Laval, where the speed increases from 100 km/h to 70 km/h in a few hundred meters due to a traffic light.
“For a consequence to have a deterrent effect, there must be as little time as possible between the crime and the sanction. However, this is the problem with speed cameras, whose fines are sent several weeks later,” emphasizes Mr. Durocher.
André Durocher, road safety expert at CAA-Quebec. Photo provided by André Durocher
The latter also points out that, unlike arresting a police officer, a driver with a radar almost never receives a demerit point, since we cannot prove who was behind the wheel.
“Radar is only a complementary measure, it cannot be used alone to bring about behavior change,” he adds.
A message to repeat
However, the road safety expert believes that, as is the case with many speed cameras in Quebec, the situation on the Dufferin-Montmorency highway should improve over time.
The device has issued an average of 206 fines per day since its installation in February 2023. Stevens LeBlanc/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
“People who receive traffic tickets unwillingly become road safety ambassadors by telling their family that they have been fined at this or that place,” explains Mr. Durocher.
“Education is about repeating a message over and over again. As a result, road safety has improved year on year over the last decade,” he emphasizes.
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