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Councillor Comments By Jan Harder
NEWS
Your Community Newspaper
Cash to help CHEO expand services Eddie Rwema
eddie.rwema@metreoland.com
Red-light running collisions tend to be more severe than other intersection collisions as they usually involve at least one vehicle travelling very quickly. In the most serious red-light running collisions the vehicles hit each other at the right angles. The resulting side-impact collisions cause severe injuries sometimes leading to death. In fact, between 2004 and 2006, Ottawa’s signalized intersections accounted for nearly 15,000 collisions, almost 7,200 injuries and 18 deaths. The Red Light Camera Program is an initiative to improve intersection safety by decreasing the incidence of red-light running, thereby reducing the number of collisions at intersections across the City. Red light cameras are the best way to do this as regular police enforcement isn’t enough as the City can’t afford to have police patrol intersections as often as necessary to catch the red-light runners. Even if officers are there to catch a red-light runner they would need to follow the offenders through the intersection, which can endanger other motorists, cyclists and pedestrians as well as the officers. In addition, it’s proven that public awareness of redlight cameras improves aggressive driving behaviour. Studies have shown that red-light violation rates can decrease as much as 42 percent within a few months of camera installation. The benefits of improved driving habits even spread into intersections without cameras. Currently in the City of Ottawa 13 red light cameras, which are rotated on a monthly basis amongst 33 designated intersections, including Strandherd and Jockvale and Berrigan/Wessex and Greenbank. These intersections have been selected based on detailed analysis of: • collision data • intersection geometry • potential underground utility conflicts and consultation with Ottawa Police Services.
At these locations, when a driver runs a red light a photo is taken of the vehicle’s licence plate and a fine sent out to the owner of the vehicle. No demerit points are issued by the red light camera system as the violation notice is issued to the registered owner of the vehicle, who may or may not have been driving the vehicle at the time of the red light violation. The current fine amount set by the province is $325 including a $5.00 service fee and a $60.00 victim’s surcharge. In 2011, 9,631 fines were issued to vehicles. It’s important to note that the program is intended to be revenue neutral. Revenue from fines generated offset capital and operating costs of the camera system. Given that investment in red lights is revenue neutral I say bring on more! http://www.janharder.com
As always, I welcome your feedback. Contact me at jan.harder@ottawa.ca or 613-580-2473, and visit my webpage at www.janharder.com. 12 Nepean-Barrhaven EMC - Thursday, January 17, 2013
EMC news - The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario will soon be able to perform 2,200 additional operations each year, thanks to new provincial funding. On Jan. 8, Premier Dalton McGuinty announced that the Liberal government will spend close to $10-million to renovate and expand the day care surgery and post anaesthetic care units at CHEO. “We do everything we can, stretch as far as we need, make every sacrifice that is necessary to ensure that our children receive the best possible care,” said McGuinty. The renovations, expected to be completed in 2015, will allow CHEO to reduce patient travel and transportation within the hospital, improve patient safety and infection control, and increase the flexibility of surgical operations. “The demand for operating services continues to grow,” McGuinty said. “We need to build more capacities when it comes to surgeries in particular. This will help us get going in the right direction.” Although CHEO has been able to increase the number of surgeries performed annually by 16 per cent since the fall of 2009, the waiting list has also increased during that time.
EDDIE RWEMA/METROLAND
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty plays a game of Sorry with 17-year-old Brody Froats prior to making a provincial funding announcement to help renovate and expand CHEO’s day care surgery and post anaesthetic care units on Jan. 8. “This is important because waiting for treatment of any kind is a bigger burden for kids and can, in some cases, have a significant effect in their developments and wellbeing,” said Dr. Carrol Pitters, CHEO’s chief of staff. “With this investment, you are help-
Bridging Communities R0011293831
Every day I am sure you shake your head and wonder just why it is someone is so darn busy they have to run a red light. Why is their precious time worth more than your life, my grandchildren’s life, your spouse’s life? You get the picture. So I thought I would provide you with some history on “success with red-light cameras in Ottawa and opportunities for the future”.
Deputy Mayor/Maire suppléant Councillor/Conseiller Ward 22 - Gloucester - South Nepean
ing CHEO provide our children and youth better access to surgical services.” Rising patient volumes have been blamed for longer wait times for some procedures. “The investment will enable us reorganize our day care surgery, recovery units, improve our efficiency, cut wait times and improve our patient experience,” said Pitters. Monica Coyne, whose eight-old son has had eight surgeries so far at CHEO, hailed the funding as an important step in helping children receive the surgery that they need as soon as they need them so they can get back to being kids sooner. “While no parents wants their child requiring eight sur-
geries before the time they are eight, CHEO was there when the need arises,” said Coyne, talking of her family’s experiences at CHEO. FEELING NOSTALGIC
In what was likely one of his last news conferences as the premier of Ontario, McGuinty said he had mixed feelings about leaving his position. “I’ll never have a job as wonderful as this one – where you have so much opportunity to bring about so much change,” said McGuinty. “It’s been a wonderful privilege and tremendous honour and I will find other ways to make contributions to quality of life of Ontarians and Canadians.”
www.SteveDesroches.ca - 613-580-2751 - Steve.Desroches@ottawa.ca
Learn about the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) The RDSP helps Canadians with disabilities and their families save for the future FREE RDSP INFORMATION SESSION Date: January 29, 2012 Time: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm Location: Ottawa Public Library - Ruth E. Dickinson Branch 100 Malvern, Ottawa, ON, K2J 2G5
For more information or to register, please contact Sasha Gilchrist at 613-236-2558 ext. 227 or by email at sasha-ileap@oilrc.com The RDSP must be opened prior to the end of the calendar year in which the beneficiary turns 59 years old. Grants and Bonds are available up to the end of the calendar year in which the beneficiary turns 49 years old. Special accommodations available upon request. This information session is available in English only. Afin d’obtenir des renseignements en français, veuillez communiquer avec Julie Belleau-Hibbard par téléphone au: 613-563-2581 poste 13 ou par courriel à: rdsp-reei@ilc-vac.ca, ou visitez: www.vacanada.ca Funding for this information session is provided by the Government of Canada. R0011855391