Montreal to install 12 new traffic cameras across the island

MONTREAL – Outside the MacKay Centre in NDG, school and city buses, cars and pedestrians all meet – sometimes a little too closely.

The school for children with special needs is on busy Decarie Boulevard.

In the morning, getting out of the parking lot can be a bit of a gamble.

“It seems to be rather busy in the morning with kids getting dropped off. Parents, of course, dropping them off with cars because many of the kids are physically challenged, so they do have to be driven in,” noted one resident.

The City of Montreal announced it’ll be installing 12 traffic cameras to nab speeders and drivers who run red lights.

One will be installed near the MacKay Centre, and others will be placed by the Saint-Laurent, Lucien-Pagé, Marc-Laflamme and Christ-Roi schools.

Mobile photo radars will be set up on major arteries, including René-Lévesque Blvd., Henri-Bourassa Blvd., Pie-IX Blvd., Saint-Michel Blvd., Christophe-Colomb Ave. and Sherbrooke St.

“On the streets we’re installing the cameras on, it’s hard for police officers to stay there,” said Aref Salam, the Montreal city councillor who is spearheading the move.

“The main idea is to reduce speed on the street and make the environment safer.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The main idea is to reduce speed on the street and make the environment safer."

Quebec started using photo radar in 2009; the total on the island of Montreal will now be 17.

“We have the results from the first phase,” said Salem.

“We decreased the infractions and cut the accident rate by 20 to 30 per cent, depending on the place.”

Both Montreal and Quebec politicians have repeatedly said that these installations are for safety, and not for increasing revenue from traffic violators.