Request for a copy of Devon's Traffic Safety Plan
During my research into Devon's controversial photo radar program, I came across an interesting statement on the Alberta Solicitor General's website¹ :

During the time the Town of Devon deployed photo radar they were able to reduce collisions by 80 per cent and greatly impacted the number of drivers who failed to heed the speed limits.

The use of the 80% reduction statistic in collisions seems to imply that speeding was a factor in all the previous collisions - police do not currently have any way to effectively track if speeding was the direct cause of an accident (with the noted exception of excessive speeding). Such a round number without any periodicity raises some cynical responses also. I felt the need to seek out more information regarding their claim and determine for myself if the reduction in collisions was because of the photo radar program.

However, I won't dispute that they were successful in reducing the number of those drivers that "failed to heed the speed limits." After the program was suspended, the photo radar firm continued to collect data on the traffic through Devon. Their data showed that people like me were more diligent in maintaining their speed. A $150 fine for going 10-15km/hr over the limit in their 70km/hr zone past the town has a way of doing that to your normal driving habits.

On Thursday afternoon I stopped by the Town of Devon's office to inquire about obtaining a copy of their 'Traffic Safety Plan' through the Freedom of Information Act. They would have had to prepare the report for the Solicitor General for initial authorization (April 2004) or recommencement (Fall 2004) of the program.

Unfortunately David Schaefer, the director of 'Community and Protective Services', was away at lunch. I left my name, the request and cell phone number with the executive assistant and she assured me that David would be in touch regarding my request. After I didn't hear back, I decided to email them this weekend to clarify my request.

I will probably follow up again next week with a phone call. I would like to ask a few more questions about the program, but given my lack of journalistic skills, I think I will just stick with the original request. Hopefully I will be able to post it here soon, so that we all can review the report and ascertain if we think the photo radar program is really warranted on the highly traveled highway through town.

Subject:Request for a copy of Devon's Traffic Safety Plan
To: David Schaefer

Mr. Schaefer;

I dropped by the town office today (Thursday) and I believe it was Christine I spoke with about obtaining a copy of the town's "Traffic Safety Plan" that was submitted last year to the Alberta Solicitor General as part of their Special Constable program's "authorization to enforce traffic safety on a primary highway."

I believe this information was submitted either at the beginning of Devon's photo radar program or as part of the audit/review performed during the time it was suspended. It appears that the Solicitor General's latest press releases about this subject (March 1st, 2005) are quoting statistics from your reports.

I left my name, number and a message that I would like to obtain a copy of this information. If you wish, you may email the reports to this address.

I was going to make a "Freedom of Information" request to the Solicitor General for the information regarding statistics, planning, etc that Devon submitted for approval and/or review of the Special Constable photo radar program, but they suggested that I contact Devon's administrative office first. However, if you require it, I can make that formal request to you for the information as per the Alberta Government's Guidelines in their Freedom of Information Act.

Thank you for your time, your response is greatly appreciated. I hope this email clarifies my request.

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1
The Solicitor General authorizes and provides guidelines for municipalities to hire special constables that can generate photo radar tickets.
- posted by Steve @ 7:48 PM