Anti-Photo Radar Group Holding Pro-Safety Rallies
Posted by Brian Schultz
An anti-photo radar group is holding two rallies this weekend to draw attention to the fact that amber lights at two Winnipeg intersections are shorter than the city’s minimum of 4 seconds.
WiseUpWinnipeg.com says that despite the lights being shortened, tickets are still being given out. Retired Winnipeg police officer Larry Stefaniuk claims the city is aware of the mechanical problem, but has failed to address it.
In the end, it’s a safety issue and to raise awareness to that, WiseUpWinnipeg will hold pro-safety rallies at the following locations:
Saturday, October 24 from 2-3 p.m. at the southeast corner of Henderson and Gilmore.
Sunday, October 25 from 2-3 p.m. at the southeast corner of Marion and Dufresne.
Sign-holding WiseUpWinnipeg members will form a line bordering the road leading up to the camera intersections, advising motorists that they are approaching a photo- enforcement intersection as well as signs indicating it to be a shortened amber intersection. Another 600 signs will also be given out to the public.
Earlier this month, a member of the group was put in the back of a police cruiser and questioned for holding up a sign warning motorists of a photo-radar camera. Police cited it was an obstruction of justice, but later said they will not take action against individuals who hold up signs in the future.
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October 23rd, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Well you just know I had to get in on this action.
Sorry, the yellow light at the Marion & Dufresne intersection is indeed 4 seconds long. Here is video proof of that fact.
http://www.vimeo.com/7222215
Now this was shot end of August, so maybe the short light is something new (though I doubt it).
I would be interested to know what measuring devices Larry and his supporters have used to time the yellow.
Drop me a line if you know of other intersections in the city you think are not functioning properly, and I’ll try to get out there and study the situation.
WpgCameraMan@gmail.com
October 23rd, 2009 at 11:18 pm
Another Chris.D exclusive.
The yellow light at Henderson & Gilmore is 4.00s long. Proof:
http://www.vimeo.com/7228276
The ‘shortened’ yellow at Marion is in fact ..wait for it… _longer_ than 4 seconds. About 1/4s longer. More proof.
http://www.vimeo.com/7230443
I’m curious to know where this ‘evidence’ of a shortened yellow is coming from, and how is the city ‘aware’ of a problem that doesn’t exist?
October 24th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Hi WpgCameraMan. The issued tickets have to include the amber length in the data. Have a look at a red-light violation ticket – it will say, or should say – 4.0. In fact we possess some that are less than that. Beyond that point – the greater point is that 4.0 minimum standard is TOO SHORT to begin with. Any city citizens that have demanded they be adequate to safely stop or pass through – by adding a second or more – the result was that “red-light running” dropped to near nothing. The camera company packed up and left. That’s why they often have a condition in their Agreement with the City, that the City not be permitted to raise amber times. Interesting stuff huh? We’d show you the contract in Winnipeg but the City won’t divulge it. Something about being protected by a $10,000 viewing fee. People – get out to the rally – enough is enough! Todd Dube
October 24th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
WpgCameraman, applaud your effort, we have photographs from the tickets that were issued. The City knows it fluctuates and says they have a variance of 2 10ths of a second. Since the odds are higher of an offence with each 10th shaved off, we say up it so that it never goes below 4.0, also they never used to issue under 4.0. Now if you want to do qualified research go and film 50 cycles changes at different times of the day and do your charting and get back to us. We have never stated that it’s under 4.0 every time it changes, but it does dip below and people are getting unfair tickets as a result
Larry Stefanuik
WiseUpWinnipeg.com
October 26th, 2009 at 6:03 am
[...] few dozen supporters came together over the weekend at pro-safety rallies put on by WiseUpWinnipeg.com. The anti-photo radar group held up signs to warn drivers at two busy [...]