Hamilton politicians are putting the pedal to metal to become the first Ontario municipality to operate photo radar since its demise 20 years ago.

As the Red Hill Parkway and Lincoln Alexander Parkway are becoming “racetracks,” politicians agreed to Ward 4 councillor Sam Merulla’s motion requesting the province allow Hamilton to implement photo radar. Provincial approval of the Ontario Highway Traffic Act is required for the city to begin the program.

“At the end of the day, this is about public safety,” said Merulla, during the Dec. 9 council meeting.

A recent staff report found that about 500 vehicles every day exceed 140 km along the parkways.

Merulla and other councillors criticized people for driving dangerously, and “causing carnage” on both roadways resulting in serious accidents including deaths.

Mountain councillor Tom Jackson said if the city has benefited from Red Light cameras, with reduced accidents at dangerous intersections and more revenue from convictions, photo radar can do the same thing for speeders along the Red Hill and Linc.

Mountain councillor Terry Whitehead was also unapologetic about using photo radar, saying if residents want to believe it’s a “cash grab, while it is. I‘m not ashamed to say it” if it holds speeders to account.

Merulla wasn’t put off by media reports that stated the province rejected a request from York Region to begin photo radar. He said a provincial bill called Safer Roads, Safer Communities is working its way through the Ontario Legislature that would allow municipalities to use “safety cameras” in construction zones and community safety zones. References to photo radar in the bill have been removed and replaced with “safety cameras.”

The bill received its first reading.

Merulla says since the Mike Harris Tory government eliminated photo radar in 1995, the technology has improved and the public has become more welcoming of cameras on roadways if it improves safety.