PENTICTON, B.C. – Politicians in south central B.C. are calling on the provincial government to bring back photo radar, but only in schools and playground zones.
The B.C. Liberals scrapped photo radar as a way to deter speedy drivers in 2001, and re-introduction was dismissed by Premier Christy Clark during the televised leaders’ debate in May’s provincial election.
But Penticton mayoral candidate Garry Litke says photo radar is necessary to keep children safe, particularly in certain school zones in the city.
Litke says there was an incident at a Penticton school where a car ran over the feet of a young school crossing guard, possibly damaging them beyond repair.
Litke says he is aware of opponents who see photo radar as a cash grab, but he says it wouldn’t be so if they were restricted only to areas where children are at risk.
The Southern Interior Local Governments Association supports the proposal, and the issue will be discussed at the Union of BC Municipalities convention next month.
However, B.C.’s Transportation Minister says the government has “no appetite” to reinstate the system.
Todd Stone told a Kamloops television station that when the province scrapped photo radar in 2001, it was for good reason.
(News1130, CFJC)
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