Last year, the total bill for fines reached $75 million. Radars had caught more than 509,000 motorists.
In 2024, there will be some 13,500 more offenders… but the amount of fines has increased significantly by 25 million. These data are explained by the cost of violations on construction sites. The average cost of reports given by mobile radars has increased, according to data recorded by the Ministry of Justice.
These radars installed on Montreal construction sites therefore take the lead in the ranking of the most lucrative radars, far surpassing the record formerly held by the Dufferin-Montmorency fixed radar, installed in 2023.
Repairs in the Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine tunnel — whose radars trap drivers in both directions — alone brought in nearly $22 million. The speed is reduced to 50 km/h.
The fixed radars, however, seem to have done their job, The Sun notices a reduction in fines and motorists fined. Some 40,000 reports were sent by mail for the Dufferin-Montmorency radar, compared to 68,000 in 2023.
Always an issue
“There is perhaps a phenomenon of adaptability. Do motorists step on the accelerator once the photo radar has passed? We won’t know. But we can think that there is a deterrent effect and that they adopt better behavior,” intervenes CAA-Quebec.
The organization is never surprised to see the figures rise, knowing that speed is still one of the main causes of accidents in Quebec. This is a real road safety issue, year after year.
The radars work, that’s undeniable. But CAA-Quebec still believes that they should not replace police presence on the roads.
“Our opinion has not changed, we judge that the police presence is more effective. The fine is given directly, you have interaction with the police officer. It has a more dissuasive effect,” underlines communications advisor, Simon Bourassa.
Speed cameras are required to be announced on the roads of the province. They must not become “traps” for motorists. The organization maintains that they must be installed where police presence is more difficult or where the location has accident-prone characteristics, for example.
The greater presence of radars on construction sites is therefore entirely justified. There are particularly vulnerable users who work there. “The figures show us that people are still driving too fast. Raising awareness always has its place and we must continue.”
CAA-Quebec believes that the government must continue to prove the relevance of the radars it installs. Their presence should lead in the long term to a reduction in accidents and a reduction in fines collected.
Some 40,000 reports were sent by mail for the Dufferin-Montmorency radar, compared to 68,000 in 2023. (Caroline Grégoire/The Sun)
Flaggers in danger, union believes
The fines obtained by mobile photo radars on construction sites in Quebec represent almost half of the total amount, or around 50 million.
The data makes the United Steelworkers Union, which represents approximately 6,000 road flaggers in the province, roar.
“We want the road sign rules to be applied to the letter, more strictly. The standards are not all well implemented,” underlines representative Martin Labbé, contacted by The Sun.
The union has been demanding a meeting with Transport Minister Geneviève Guilbault since April to discuss the flaws in the safety of its members.
Martin Labbé believes that workers are generally well protected in Quebec. The construction sites are safe. However, flaggers are not as lucky.
“The flaggers risk their lives to protect their fellow workers, essentially. They are placed at the start of the construction zone. And it’s the standards for them that are not respected.”
In 2024, some 41,182 motorists were caught by radar on the Dufferin-Montmorency highway. (Caroline Grégoire/The Sun)
“We are happy to see that the radars are working. This proves there is a speed problem. But it is in prevention that we must act. It moves quickly the same, even if you get a ticket afterwards, the damage is done,” emphasizes Me Labbé.
In 2024, three traffic flaggers died on Quebec roads.
“In the summer, we wrote to him after the death of a signalman. We didn’t even get an acknowledgment of receipt. Someone died and she didn’t even return our call… What more is it going to take?”
The union is therefore launching a final appeal to Minister Guilbault’s office, in order to obtain a serious meeting concerning the safety of flaggers in Quebec.
