Repeated $346 Fines for Motorists: Photo radars approaching construction sites paid off for Quebec this summer
Photo radars hit hard this summer in roadwork zones, with thousands of hefty fines that hurt the wallets of many motorists and allowed Quebec to replenish its coffers.
In Trois-Rivières, near the Laviolette Bridge, motorists received several tickets for the same offense, a few days apart.
This is the case for Martine Bonin, whose vacation budget was depleted by costly fines. She had to pay $1,384 for her four $346 fines.
"I live on the South Shore, but I work in Trois-Rivières. So I was more likely to receive one," she explained. She committed her offenses on June 23 and 25 and July 1 and 9.
Screenshot/TVA News
She received the first ticket 20 days after the first offense, on July 12, too late to change her habits. Ms. Bonin denounces the proliferation of tickets even before being informed. She also argues that there were no workers on the construction sites during her visits.
The MTQ carried out emergency work on the approach to the bridge, lowering the speed limit to 70 km/h. In 45 days, Quebec issued 12,238 tickets, totaling $5.4 million. This radar was among the five most lucrative for the Ministry of Justice.
Ms. Bonin was driving at just over 90 km/h. She consulted a lawyer, but contesting a speed camera ticket is difficult.
"There would be an additional fee of $112 per lost ticket," she said. She signed a petition and contacted her MP, Donald Martel.
Citizens are asking the MTQ to back down.
"We are not asking for the cancellation of the fines, but for the doubling of the amounts, to respect the principle of fairness," said Louis Dupuis, author of the petition.
Dangerous behaviorSince 2011, fines in construction zones have doubled, says Émilie Lord, spokesperson for the MTQ. She says the radars are designed to correct dangerous behavior.
"Driver behavior is a factor in the majority of accidents in work zones, including inattention, distraction, speed and following too closely," she said.
Photo QMI Agency, JOEL LEMAY
She cites the construction site of the overpasses on the Félix-Leclerc highway in Quebec, where more than twenty accidents were recorded before the holidays.
No radar has been installed near Boulevard de l'Ormière, but one was recently placed on the approach to the George-Muir sector.
In construction areas, traffic conditions may be different from normal, she said, citing reduced lane width, lane diversions, no shoulders, uneven road surfaces, no markings and sudden traffic stops.
The MTQ reports that three signs announce the presence of a radar under construction.
"The orange signs allow for safe traffic flow, even in the absence of workers," says Ms. Lord. "Traffic conditions remain unusual," she adds.
For its part, the CAA believes that radars should complement police surveillance and be used under specific conditions, notes its spokesperson Nicolas Ryan. "The CAA-Quebec agrees with their use, but under certain conditions: difficult surveillance, operation limited to periods of active work, and adequate signaling," states its brief submitted to the National Assembly.
TOP 5 of the most profitable radars this summer
Saint-Mathieu-de-Beloeil, A-20
May to July 31
Findings: 14,829
Total raised: $5.5M
Mirabel, A-15, km 24 to 35
June to July 31
Findings: 12,238
Total raised: $5.4M
The Laviolette Bridge construction site in Trois Rivières
From June 12 to July 31
Findings: 12,426
Total raised: $5.6M
Longueuil, A-25 Tunnel
May to July 31
Findings: 14,614
Total raised: $4M
In Quebec, A-73, between Jean-Talon and George-Muir Street
Installed briefly at the end of July
Findings: 159
Total raised: $75,552
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THE MOST VALUABLE CONSTRUCTION RADARMontreal, A-25 Tunnel
Since February 2023
Findings: 66,894
Total raised: $26.1M
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LE Journal de Montreal
