Police officers and traffic cameras brought in another record cash haul last year, almost reaching the $40-million mark for the first time.
According to the Calgary police commission annual report, which is going to a city hall committee Wednesday, the force got $39.4 million in traffic fine revenue for 2010.
That’s a 15 per cent increase from the year before.
In 2007, traffic tickets generated $32.9 million in fine revenue, and that number has risen each year since.
Last year was the first full year that speed-on-green cameras were in effect in Calgary.
“Albertans still aren’t getting it when it comes to speeding infractions and running red lights,” said Don Szarko from the Alberta Motor Association.
The increased numbers show drivers are still breaking the law regularly and police are there to catch them, said Szarko.
“We’ve noticed police are putting more resources on the street, putting more resources toward traffic safety enforcement.
“You’re seeing more checkstops. I think we’re just doing a better job of enforcement and we’re catching people who are in violation of our traffic safety laws,” said Szarko.
Police and the police commission have said for years the point of the fines is not to generate revenue, but rather to make roads safer.
Canadian Taxpayers Federation Alberta director Scott Hennig said he wants to know if that’s actually happening.
“The real question is: Are they doing anything? Are they saving lives? Are they reducing the number of accidents?” asked Hennig.
“That really needs to be the No. 1 measurement for this or they can be accused of it being a cash cow.”
Szarko said in 2003 Alberta had the smallest fines for traffic safety violations in the country and since those were increased that year, coupled with added public safety education, the roads have gotten safer.
A report released by Alberta Transportation earlier this month said 351 people died in 2010 on the province’s roads. That’s down 25 per cent from 2007.
Police commission member Councillor Diane Colley-Urquhart said she believes the money generated by fines ought to go to the city and not the police force itself.
“Unfortunately, the police budget is having to rely more and more on these sort of revenues. I’m of the firm belief myself that policing should be solely mill-rate supported.”
The police commission is currently studying that idea, she said, and will get a report in a few months. She said the idea would divert criticism that the fines are a cash cow, a belief she does not share. “We’re adding more of these cameras each year. Certainly we do it for safety. If you speed you’re going to get caught, so it’s your fault, but we’ve added a whole number of ways over those years to enhance those revenues.”
Calgary Herald
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