Ottawa
drivers who ignore school buses which have their stop-arms
extended risk getting caught on camera and incurring a $490
fine thanks to a new initiative being implemented by the
city under it's Safe Roads program.
 |
| Cumberland
Ward councillor Stephen Blais was joined by Mayor Jim
Watson in announcing the city`s latest Safe Roads initiative
to install surveillance cameras on the stop-arms of
six school buses by next September. PHOTO SUPPLIED |
According
to Cumberland Ward councillor Stephen Blais, who has been
pushing for the cameras for the past four years, a set of
four cameras will be installed on the exterior of six different
buses � two immediately and another four in September.
The cameras
will be connected to a series of sensors which will be activated
when the system detects a vehicle passing the bus when it
is fully stopped. The cameras will record a short video
which will be relayed to a secure server, where members
of the Ottawa Police Traffic Enforcement Services will access
and review the footage to determine if charges should be
laid.
The initiative
is similar to the red light camera program in that the owner
of the vehicle receives the fine regardless of who is driving.
"The program
is all about protecting children,� explains Blais. "Many
drivers don't realize the safety concerns that come with
not stopping for school buses, and that's something we hope
this program will address.�
Blais
joined forces with M.L. Bradley Ltd. in Navan to establish
a stop-arm camera pilot program in 2016 that was called
"I Stop, You Stop�.
During
the first two months the pro-gram was in place, an average
of five motorists drove by the extended stop-arm with its
flashing red light every day. The number stunned Blais,
who has been lobbying his fellow councillors and city staff
to make the cameras permanent ever since.
The effectiveness
of the program will rely on the fact that motorists won't
know which school buses will have the cameras and which
will not. At least two school buses in the east end will
be equipped with them.
"We want
to ensure drivers are attentive and focused on safety every
time they are behind the wheel, and especially when driving
in proximity to school buses,� says Blais, who also announced
the creation of a "Constable Scarecrow� program last week
to combat speeding in school zones.
Constable
Scarecrow is actually a life-size, metal cut-out of a police
officer holding a radar gun. The Constable Scarecrow was
used with great success during a two-month pilot project
on Coquitlam, B.C.
The Ottawa
Police Service will place scarecrows at two sites -- one
on Portobello Blvd. in the east end and the other on Bridge
Street in Manotick where speeding in school zones has become
a major issue. Each sign costs about $165 and are tamper-resistant
and waterproof.
"The Coquitlam
pilot project has shown that this is an extremely cost-effective
way to cut down on speeding in school zones,� says Blais.
(This
story was made possible thanks to the generous support of
our local business partners.)
CANADA DAY AT THE LEGION – Canadian Legion Branch 632 on Taylor Creek Road will be hosting a fun-filled day of family-friendly activities with music and food starting at 11 am. FREE FOR EVERYONE 
ORLEANS FARMERS MARKET every Thursday from 11 am to 4 pm in the parking lot at the Ray Friel Recreation Centre on Tenth Line Road. Shop the freshest seasonal produce, meat and dairy, baked goods, prepared foods, crafts and more while getting to know the folks who grew and made it.
CUMBERLAND FARMERS MARKET from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the R.J. Kennedy Arena in Cumberland Village with 85 local farmers and vendors ready to showcase their freshest produce, handmade goods, and unique finds! FREE ADMISSION 
STRAY DOG BREWING COMPANY presents Crroked Creek live and in concert in their taproom. From Montreal, Crooked Creek effortlessly blends bluegrass and country music genres. Tickets $15 available at 
