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Home : Canada : Toronto is speed trap capital of North America

Toronto is the speed trap capital of North America according to the National Motorist Association's annual list of 'Worst North American Speed Trap Cities.' Toronto is the speed trap capital of North America according to the National Motorist Association's annual list of 'Worst North American Speed Trap Cities.' Toronto speeding

Toronto is speed trap capital of North America

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CTV Toronto: Toronto is speed-trap capital
Toronto has more speed traps than Los Angeles, Montreal and New York -- combined. That's according to a new study.

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Toronto is the speed trap capital of North America according to the National Motorist Association's annual list of 'Worst North American Speed Trap Cities.' Toronto is the speed trap capital of North America according to the National Motorist Association's annual list of 'Worst North American Speed Trap Cities.' Toronto speeding

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Toronto is the speed trap capital of North America according to the National Motorist Association's annual list of 'Worst North American Speed Trap Cities.'

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Date: Thu. Sep. 2 2010 9:10 AM ET

Drivers in Toronto should keep their eyes peeled for speed traps around every corner, according to the National Motorist Association's annual list of "Worst North American Speed Trap Cities".

Toronto ranked first overall in North America on the list compiled with data from the association's National Speed Trap Exchange, where drivers from the U.S. and Canada can report locations where police regularly look for speeders.

Toronto has more reported speed trap zones than Los Angeles, New York City and Montreal combined, but Sgt. Tim Burrows of Toronto Traffic Services told CTV.ca that the city also has one of the lowest traffic injury and fatality rates of the top cities on the list.

Sgt. Burrows said of the list: "The more awareness about our officers making Toronto roads safer, the better. After all, heavy speed enforcement makes for safer roads."

He explained that Toronto police set up speed traps in areas where the public have complained of unsafe traffic, or where analysis of car accidents has determined speed was a factor in the collision.

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Mike
said

I have driven all over Canada and the US and Ontario is the WORST for speed traps. I have seen numerous times where they are set up in areas that generate the most infractions(translate revenue), such as 4 lane roads in unpoulated areas that have a 5okm/hr speed limit or out on some country road going nowhere. I also find it interesting that people drive relatively the same speed in Canada or the US(for example 120km/h or 75 mph on interstates), it's just that here it's called speeding. I think the government likes the low speed limits here because it generates millions in revenue from people just trying to get to work. I think our police force could be better used in combatting real crime instead of pissing off people by emptying their wallets.


Margo
said

Well for once the city of T.O. is doing someting right.Speeders need to be stopped and if it works via the wallet then so be it. Having said that they need this in more places than Toronto, speeding is everywhere, but Toronto needs to do something soon about the murders, its awful, practically everyday someone is being shot. Has Toronto become Detroit. ? So glad I dont live in the city.


Dennis
said

I have one more thing to say about this article, I’m going to guess that 99.9% of the ones complaining about this are the ones that are breaking the traffic laws.


Troglodyte
said

Super enthusiastic police enforcement and extremely high and rising insurance premiums. What does that tell us?


Jessica from Toronto
said

I'm a teacher in North York. Last June I was out walking in the neighbourhood with a class of grade 6s. There was a speed trap set up near the school. When I asked the officers if they've had "good business" there, they told me that they had just caught someone going 80km/hr in the 40km/h school zone...all while school was still in session. Given the nature of the curves in that road, there's no way that person could have stopped if someone had run out in front of them. Some speed traps are fine by me.


Gus Harris
said

What do you expect, as it is a revenue generating source for the City of Toronto. When the province changed the Provincial Offences Act, the Toronto Police Service changed the directive of CASC (Computer Aided Scheduling of Court) Before the change to the POA, CASC was mandated to schedule court time to duty time, to limit overtime for the traffic guys. When the change occured, this was reversed to all court time to be scheduled so the constable is on overtime. Obvious effect was to maximize the return of investment to the city.

Before the change of the POA, all fines went to the Province of Ontario, after the change to the municipality where the offence took place.




T M
said

And Toronto drivers still drive like maniacs !


Prof. Pye Chartt
said

It is a self-serving governmental myth (supported by the doltish citizenry) that people who exceed the posted speed limit automatically pose a horrendous danger to society. Virtually all people who drive 55 km/h in a 40 km/h zone, 65 km/h in a 50 km/h, 100 km/h in an 80 km/h zone, or even 130 km/h on a 100 km/h highway are doing so quite safely. The FACT is that most accidents and injury are caused not simply by speed, but, rather, careless, inattentive, and/or unskilled drivers. Speed "traps" are rarely needed and justifiable outside of, say, troublesome school zones. It's all about revenue, folks. Quit deluding yourselves. (Statistics having to do with "risk" don't equate to the indisputable reality.)


KJ in Kingston Ontario
said

Just a case of setting the speed limit well below the normal traffic flow. Years ago that was proved by the drivers attempting to drive the posted speed limit across Toronto and ending up in court for their protest action. Back when cars were far less sophisticated -- before anti-lock brakes, airbags, traction control and even disc brakes and padded dashes -- the 401 had a 70 mph (aprox. 115km/h) speed limit. Revenue generation is what it is all about.... Same story in Kingston where the police will come up behind you at night and try and spook you into speeding up when you drive the speed limit.


Lina
said

Even though the police are municipal police, the fines would go to the province since there are enforcing a provincial statute: The Highway Traffic Act (HTA).


Nathan
said

The true key to safer roads and the root of these problems is EDUCATION, stop being fearful of speed and teach people how to be safe at higher rates of speed. Look at the Autobahn network's safety record and then tell me that speed is the problem. Those of you who are scared of speed are close minded and willing to believe anything society tells you, stop being a fool and think for yourself!


Doug
said

You are never going to improve the intellect of people who were born without any of it.

Radar fines are great for fund raising but won't stop people who have more horesepower than brains.

Too bad we live in a country where our human rights are so strong that nothing is our fault including injuring or killing via careless driving!


Kaptin
said

Go for it. Too bad they don't do anything about the red light runners or the idiots who have to be the last one through after the light's turned red and screws up your advanced green to make a left turn on.

Tell me, how is it that if you are speeding and get caught by a hidden speed trap you can get off because it's entrapement? You break the law and get caught, you pay the penalty and it IRKS the hell out of me when the radio stations announce where speed traps will be set up on long weekend blitzes. Like when they had the Photo Radar vans that could be moved around.

Photo Radar. Good idea but too much political bull again to make it work properly. But some intersections have it don't they? And they are clearly marked as well. Idiots.


Greg
said

They should lower the speed limit to 5 KPH. That way we can ensure that the injury rate will be even lower and the fatality rate will be zero. Why wouldn't we? Don't you want your loved ones safe?

Then we'll really ramp up enforcement so that we can generate some much needed revenue too.

Win win.


Kelly
said

Those drivers might not speed in Toronto, but once they hit the City of Kawartha Lakes the gas peddle is stomped and they totally disregard our speed limits.... blowing through our 50 & 60 kmh posted communities at speeds well over the legal limit.... I guess to release their pent up energy... until that is they KILL SOMEONE up here....




Michael
said

If you speed then pay the fines and stop complaining about the law enforcement officials who are doing their job and take some personal responsibility something I realize many Torontonians don't like to do.


Doug # BC
said

LOL.Hilarious.But trust me,I'd be willing to bet my last dollar that every citizen who drives a car thinks the worst drivers live in his/her city.In the current "nanny state",we all think "it's the other people" who are at fault.
That said,this can't be good news for Torontonians,whose city,just last weeek,had the dubious distinction of being the only Canadian city to make the top ten list of the rudests cities on earth.
C'mon,people suck it up.The centre of the universe IS NOT in Toronto.If Ontario politicians could keep their noses out of my provinces business,I find it hard to imagine how I could care less how Ontarians choose to live their lives.


Greg
said

Rubbish! Drivers tend to drive to the conditions and speed traps are set up where there is an artificially low speed limit, places like the Overlea Bridge where there are six lanes of traffic, no housing, no pedestrians,just cars and a very low speed limit. Police can drag in by the hundreds ordinary citizens going about their business and vacuum their pockets because David Miller needs money. When the police become highway robbers, who do we turn to for protection?


Joe
said

Why I love the fact that I don't live in or anywhere near this stink hole of a city. They may have the lowest road fatalities in Canada or the States but it's also the reason why Toronto is kwown as the murder capital of Canada.


Ron
said

Bravo Toronto for doing what every city should be doing...applying the law. We have speed limits for a reason and anyone who thinks they can break those speed limits is welcome to the consequences. Letting anyone especially granny go over the speed limit by any amount is just not sensible but also extremely dangerous. Want to speed...go to the race track and collide with all the others of the same mind.


Al in Orillia
said

I applaud more traffic law enforcement and contrary to some of the comments, it's not the 20k over the limit that's the problem, it's the 30-40-50k over the limit, the tail-gaters, weavers and those who think that signal lights are for other people.One shouldn't have to fear for their lives while driving to work, because some self important jerk thinks that the whole world is in his or her way. This announcement doesn't make TO safe, it just reflects the need for strong inforcement in a city where traffic is becoming a massive problem.


Duane
said

@Sam -

Actually, they aren't all there. There's one by my house, and I'm glad it's there, because people are always haulin' butt through there. It's on Steeles Ave E, so definately not a light travelled street. Funny thing is, it's usually the same people being caught all the time.

@John -

The police are municipal. Revenue does not go to provincial coffers.

@Prof. Pye Chartt -

You ain't kidding about the war on the automobile. The Transit City thing is just going to make it worse. Hope the next Mayor here will kybosh that POS.


Devon
said

First of all!! The number of reported speed traps is grossly exaggerated. If you read the actual website almost half of the reported speed traps are DUPLICATES!!! Secondly, Torontonians are overly critical and have a sense on entitlement like no other city in the world so they report these traps more than people of other major cities. Thirdly, With all of this information readily available PEOPLE STILL SPEED! If something were to happen to a loved one in which speed was a factor which more often than not it is, You would be crying fowl about how the police werent doing enough, but when you wanna go 30 km/h over the limit to take your kid to soccer practice you feel you have every right! Police Officers enforce any and all areas of the HTA, but it seems that the only one people get up in arms about is speed and the feeling of entitlement that they are important and should be allowed to go as fast as they want to get to where they are going!!!


dwigget
said

Wish the OPP was this proactive on the 400 highways. 30% over the speed limit should never have become an expected norm.


Dennis
said

There should be more speed traps, more traffic cameras, and more police officers in all your cities.
And sorry Margaret (from London) Moose Jaw has the worst drivers.
And to all the women and men in uniform, thank you.



Rob in London
said

Perfect. The police in Toronto must be doing a fantastic job if they have so much time that they can have that many officers sitting in one spot staring down a radar/laser gun! I'd be happier if they would bother to do things about bad driving (no signals, aggressiveness, fail to stop etc.), unsafe vehicles, bicyclists that ride on the road but think that the rules of the road don't apply to them, or perhaps, actual CRIME.

NOT a good statistic Toronto.


John
said

A province with a HUGE debt load raising income by have $110,000/year police officers raise the money?????????????


Prof. Pye Chartt
said

Not surprising. The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) recently achieved the honor of having North America's worst traffic gridlock. The passive and intellectually-stunted municipal and provincial "war against the automobile" has, along with immense exhaust pollution and economic productivity loss, produced a city of frustrated drivers who open up the throttle when the opportunity arises. At the same time, and more relevantly, Toronto is a city run by obstinate socialists and greedy bureaucratic law-enforcement nibs who, collectively, for the sake of glorious revenue and the joy of spending other peoples' money with reckless abandon, justify EVERY tax, user fee, penalty, and fine.


PVT
said

Obviously these people didn't include Kelowna, BC in their stats or the headline would have read differently. Kelowna is waaaay worse than T.O


Jason
said

Well.. you have a choice.. if you want the safest roads.. you must have the enforcement.
Congrats on Toronto having the lowest fatalities and traffic related injuries on the list. Peoples' lives and safety are the bottom line.
Keep up the good work TPS.


LT
said

Toronto has enough unsolved crimes on their hands, but these cops decided spend their energy on giving a granny who went over the limit by 10km. Get a crib TO. Start working on the headline "Less crime capital".


Tired & wired? Then
said

There's a good reason why the GTA is the speed trap capital - because Toronto residents disobey the law more than any other district making it necessary to enforce the laws. I've seen the general flow at 140kph on the 401 at times when visiting. Here in Eastern Ontario it's no different. Whenever I travel the 416 I put it on cruise at 100kph and 100% of the people pass me by 100% of the time. The cops allow 120kph so people now use that now as a baseline and go up from there. So much for the hypocritical environmentally conscious supporters eh! Put it on cruise folks, save fuel, less pollution and arrive alive and relaxed instead of being tired and wired. The time you save by speeding is minuscule and not worth the hassles and wasted fuel.



Cinzia
said

You are right on Margaret. Send some down London way. Absolutely no regard for speed limits or traffic lights.


Chris in Kitchener
said

This is Excellent. There really is no need for excessive speeding. Every day I drive the 401 and am amazed at getting passed when I am doing 40 over. So this is fantastic to know that speed is enforced in an area where there are kids and heavy pedestrain traffic.


Disney
said

Way to go Toronto!

I do not believe that there is such a thing as a speed trap. Let's face it. We do have many laws pertaining to driving, and speed is one. It is one's choice - no one else - to drive over the speed limit. If they get caught, it certainly is their fault. Some people call it a cash cow. Now really people, it is better to call it a voluntary tax. You chose to speed, now you must pay. Those who get caught, quit your whining and obey the laws as they have been created for you and your family's safety.

Just my opinion


Sam
said

"He explained that Toronto police set up speed traps in areas where the public have complained of unsafe traffic, or where analysis of car accidents has determined speed was a factor in the collision." How true is this? Speed traps are usually found in places where the traffic is light, the road is straight and wide open so drivers have a natural tendency to speed. As the name says, it is a trap to trap unsuspected drivers. You can't speed along Yonge and Dundas where it is impossible to speed even if you want to.


Tom
said

Please send this idea to Newfoundland where the drivers are, by far, the worst you have ever seen. Also, how do you get the police to do moving violations, such as stop signs being optional and no signal use? Newfoundland RNC is wondering.


Dave
said

It's no wonder this city's murder rate has skyrocketed...the cops are too busy clocking people for going 20 over than actually doing anything productive.

Toronto -- once a joke, always a joke.


Gord
said

Good policing seems to have turned into a revenue generating racket


Margaret
said

Well done Toronto.

Please send your plans to London as we have the province's worst drivers.




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