While France continues to mushroom with speed cameras, Canada is taking a bold step. Ontario has just announced the complete removal of all its fixed speed cameras. Yes, all of them. And without hesitation.
Doug Ford, Prime Minister of theOntariolit the fuse. Speed cameras do not reduce speed. These are outdated methods for collecting revenue " he said, his tone dry, his gaze direct.
In a few weeks, all the automatic booths will be disconnected. No more automatic fines. No more speeding tickets at 51 km/h. TheOntario turns the page, while the France has been writing the same thing for twenty years.
Over there, they talk about responsibility. Here, they talk about profitability. Ford wants to empower drivers, not treat them like children. The idea? To replace automatic penalties with more humane solutions: roundabouts, flashing lights, urban planning.
Meanwhile, in France, radar has become a symbol of the welfare state on steroids: a cash machine, disguised as a guardian angel.
Tens of millions of euros in revenue each year for “preventive” speed cameras which often end up punishing the distracted rather than the dangerous.
Canada shuts down, France cashes in.
En OntarioWe are embracing the common-sense approach: less control, more civic-mindedness. FranceWe continue to pretend that civic-mindedness is measured to the centimeter on an “80” sign.
The irony? Even the studies cited by the French authorities acknowledge that the radar are not the only effective lever against accidents.
But here's the thing: it's impossible to cut off such a money-making machine. Each radar is a budget line, a target, a return on investment.
Let's be honest: removing speed cameras is risky. Canadian road safety associations are furious. They point out that the presence of speed cameras reduces average speeds and accidents, especially near schools.
But Ford prefers prevention to punishment. And if that fails? He will take responsibility — which, let's face it, is not exactly in the French political DNA.
Two cultures, two paths. Over there, they trust. Here, they monitor, they flash, they fine. Ontario chooses to experiment with freedom under responsibility.
France, however, remains stuck in a logic of permanent control, convinced that the fear of radar is better than driver education.
What Ontario has just done, France would never dare. Because here, the radar has become a totem: untouchable, sacred, profitable.
Because a state that gives up its source of fines is like a smoker who throws away his last pack: he promises to quit, but lights up again at the red light.
THEOntario They've just done what no one in Europe has dared to do: they've cut off the cash cow. It's not necessarily perfect. But at least over there, they're trying something different. And for that alone, they deserve a round of applause.
