Winnipeg City Councilors Vandel, Gerbassi, Nordman and Sharma Vote To Keep Adequate Amber Light Times

March 15, 2011

In a display of complete denial of the real facts surrounding the safety impact of Longer Amber Times at intersections, Councilors Vandel, Gerbassi, Nordman and Sharma all showed solidarity towards the safety of the Photo Enforcement Program and their “Paid” expert and decided unanimously to recommend the Escobar report be accepted and the 4.0 second standard amber time be kept.

The word of the day would become “Adequate”,

–adjective

That’s right, Councilors found the 4.0 was adequate therefore setting the bar for motorist safety in Winnipeg at the absolute minimum and effectively condoning and supporting the increase of collisions at the majority of Photo Enforced Intersections as well as all of the other so called dangerous intersections in the city.

After all, why go that extra little bit (1 second + a properly timed Amber for each intersection) and truly see an increase in safety like those realized by many jurisdictions in North America that have implemented the extra amber timing.

All of the councilors appeared uncomfortable and inconvenienced by the presence of Todd and Myself and our presentation of the results of the Georgia model and discussion of the Dilemma Zones at intersections. Dan Vandal in particular made every effort to interrupt us if we strayed ever so slightly from the topic of Ambers and onto why the ACS contract and the Red Light Violation Data has not been released to our group as a result of FIPPA requests.

He had to be reminded that the purpose of the City’s report was to study Georgia’s Bill 77 and it’s results. Our question was that if Mr Escobar did not even make an effort to contact Sen. Loudermilk or the Georgia Department of Transportation, then the City has shown a complete disregard for the facts and for the safety of motorists on the road. They were also reminded of the increase of collisions, especially rear end ones at the camera intersections.

Todd Dube used a simple example of the dilemma zone by asking Vandel that, “If it takes you 7 seconds to get out of your chair and get to the door of this room safely, but we gave you 5 seconds and then fined you $200.00 for not making it, is that fair of us?”

After Wise Up members finished, another presentation by Dave MacKay was given against the motion as well. Mr. MacKay made  several valid points about Mr Escobars quotes in the paper regarding the issue and his recommendations. These also fell on the deaf ears of the councilors.

Then came the star of the show, the City’s paid expert and traffic engineer, Luis Escobar. Not only did he explain that the 4.0 was adequate for all of the Winnipeg’s intersections but he also advised that Winnipeg did not have a Red Light Running problem citing that only 1-3% of motorists were being ticketed. Of course that sounds like a small number when presented like that as opposed to the several thousands of tickets that are issued every year.  He also failed to acknowledge the increases in rear end collisions and the success that Georgia had in reducing collisions and violations by going beyond the adequate and going the extra mile for the sake of higher safety as opposed to adequate safety.

This now became an attentive presentation to the earlier irritated councilors who now looked at Mr Escobar as if to say, “yes please, tell us more about what we want you to say!”  Then as the stomachs of all in attendance in the gallery began to turn, the committee unanimously voted to accept Escobars recommendation that collisions be allowed to continue due to “Adequate” amber times. One unknown gentleman behind me said it best. “This is complete Bull Shit!”

After the meeting was concluded and we were talking with the press, it was interesting to notice Mr. Escobar make a bee line for the stairs and advising the Free Press reporter that he had no comment.

Why not Luis?

Don’t you want to brag about your recommendations?

Wouldn’t you want to explain how you are making the streets safer by continuing with the “Adequate” amber times?

Or maybe you’re not so comfortable collecting a salary to be a “Paid Expert” providing the results that you are “Paid to Provide”. Maybe you were having a little trouble stomaching your report as well and needed to find an air sickness bag somewhere! Maybe $109,000 a year doesn’t make up for piece of mind after all?

At the end of the day the Facts do not change;

1. Longer Ambers = Fewer Collisions and Violations.
2. Photo Enforcement is about revenue and not safety.
3. ACS is laughing all the way to the bank at the tune of $5 million a year that will come out of the City’s pocket if not enough tickets are written.

Wise Up Winnipeg will continue to bring the facts out and we are arranging to bring back Loudermilk and possibly the mayor of Dalton Georgia as well. The City of Dalton implemented the extra time to all their intersections after seeing an immediate safety increase at the photo enforced intersections.

We are also asking members of the public to start getting more involved. Please contact us to find out more about how you can help in getting the truth out and stopping the abuse of the photo enforcement system.

See you in the next post.

Slow Down, Drive Safe and Keep You Money in Your Pockets!

Larry Stefanuik