Two speed cameras in Toronto were vandalized overnight, adding to a growing trend of attacks on these devices. The cameras were located near O’Connor Drive and Coxwell Avenue, and Lakeshore Boulevard and Woodbine Avenue. Both locations have previously been targeted this year.

Councillor Brad Bradford, who represents Beaches-East York, expressed frustration over the ongoing vandalism. He described the situation as "unacceptable" and stated, "The perpetual struggle to keep these cameras up is becoming a joke." Bradford emphasized that if the city invests in automated speed enforcement, it must do a better job of protecting the cameras.

The camera near O’Connor Drive was previously vandalized on June 20, while the Lakeshore Boulevard camera was knocked down on July 17. According to Laura McQuillan, a spokesperson for the City of Toronto, at least 27 pole-mounted cameras have been vandalized this year. The city has received over 800 reports of vandalism related to speed cameras, although most incidents were minor, such as graffiti.

"The City of Toronto condemns all vandalism of these speed cameras," McQuillan said. "Damaging these devices allows dangerous speeding to continue and undermines the safety of vulnerable road users, as all Automated Speed Enforcement devices are located in Community Safety Zones such as near schools, playgrounds, and hospitals."

Toronto police are investigating the recent incidents. The Parkside Drive speed camera has been the most frequently targeted, having been vandalized seven times in the past 11 months. This camera, installed in 2022 after a fatal crash involving a speeding motorist, has generated over 70,000 tickets and $8 million in fines for the city.

Premier Doug Ford criticized the use of speed cameras, labeling them a "tax grab." He urged municipalities to remove the cameras, suggesting that traditional methods, such as police officers with radar guns, would be more effective in slowing down traffic. "If you want to slow down traffic at school, you put the big, huge signs, big flashing lights, crossing area, people will slow down," Ford said. He called on Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow to follow the example of Vaughan, which has removed its speed cameras.

A recent survey indicated that nearly three-quarters of Ontario drivers support the use of speed enforcement cameras. Additionally, a study by the Hospital for Sick Children found that these cameras reduced aggressive driving and speeding in Toronto by nearly half. The study analyzed 250 locations from July 2020 to December 2022, showing a 45 percent drop in the overall percentage of cars speeding after the cameras were installed.