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March 24th, 2010

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Larry Stefanuik 482-2756 (Endeavor to Achieve)
Todd Dube 795-5120
eMAIL: larry@wiseupwinnipeg.com or mediascene@mts.net

PHOTO ENFORCEMENT IS INEFFECTIVE, UNSAFE AND STRICTLY A REVENUE PROGRAM SAYS WISE UP WINNIPEG

Georgia State Representative Barry D. Loudermilk discusses the end of similar program in Georgia and the resultant decrease in accidents.

Demanding the end of red light cameras and photo radar vans In Manitoba, Wise Up Winnipeg will be hosting an Event and Presentation on Photo Enforcement and why it is ineffective, unsafe and strictly a revenue program on Monday March 29, 2010, 10am, in the Provencher ballroom of the Hotel Fort Garry.

The event is FREE to attend and the public is invited and encouraged to attend.

Since the inception of Wise Up Winnipeg, its creators, retired Winnipeg Police Service officer Larry Stefanuik and local businessman Todd Dube have brought to the forefront several issues surrounding the abuse of Photo Enforcement by the City of Winnipeg, including misleading and incomplete statistics publicized by the Winnipeg Police Service.
As well, Wise Up Winnipeg has made all involved parties aware of a regional precedent proving that intersections on a whole can be made significantly safer by simply adding one second of time to the yellow light.

The State of Georgia introduced legislation that has resulted in the elimination of numerous red light cameras throughout the state of Georgia. Not only has this legislation protected their citizens from the unconstitutional use of red light camera technology, but has significantly improved safety throughout the state.

Wise Up Winnipeg has invited the City of Winnipeg, the Province and red light camera operator ACS to have an open, public debate on the facts of photo enforcement and their program claims specifically. To date Wise Up Winnipeg has not received a response from either party.

Mayor Katz recently spoke out on Winnipeg’s water issue by saying he thought it best to listen to the experts in the industry. However, when dealing with photo enforcement and public safety he has chosen to ignore several reports from qualified researchers that prove red light and speed cameras cause more collisions while entrapping and issuing unfair tickets to good drivers as a result of inadequate yellow light times, lower than reasonable speed limits at the best revenue producing intersections as well as capitalizing on low-speed thresholds to establish greater infractions.

Case in point – one of the city’s best-producing “speeding” intersections is Route 90 southbound at Corydon. The speed limit in that stretch could arguably be 60kph (at a minimum) and not 50kph. To fine an obscene number of “speeders” for doing 62kph (12kph infraction threshold) in what should arguably be at least a 60kph zone can no longer be ignored.

Further, one of the city’s top-producing red-light cameras, at Grant and Wilton, another 50kph zone that arguably should be higher, is productive for the simple reason that the yellow light time is inadequate for that length of intersection and should be longer than the city’s standard, and irrelevant, 4.0 seconds.
Both of these dangerous factors are wide-spread and aggravating contributors to the “success” of Winnipeg’s program, which has zero defensible safety components to it.

As promised, Wise Up Winnipeg is now following through with our pledge to hold a public event with or without the input or representation of the city, the province and ACS.

****All three parties have been invited to attend the event as well as give their own presentation (sent advance email March 15), if they wish. This way, they would also be available to speak with the media and answer questions.
Wise Up Winnipeg has four (4) demands, as follows:

Increase yellow-light times to the minimum standard for that type of intersection, speed and length, plus one additional second. Until that true safety improvement has been implemented at camera intersections – cameras will be rendered inactive.
That the city properly amend and re-issue its annual reports to the Province from the inception of the program, to now include all proper accident statistics as available from MPIC – as the Provincial Auditor advised them to do following its 2006 review.

Cease operation of Mobile Photo Radar Units, which had been deployed illegally in construction zones in 2008 and now having again ignored specific conditions of enforcement in 2009 with photographic evidence available from Wiseupwinnipeg.com
Immediately make available to the public the contract between the City of Winnipeg and ACS.

Special Guest Speaker:
Barry D. Loudermilk, Georgia State Representative, District 14

(Spring 2009) In response to the rampant use of red light intersection cameras being used by local governments as a means of revenue generation, Barry introduced legislation that has resulted in the elimination of numerous red light cameras throughout the state of Georgia. Not only has this legislation protected the citizens from the unconstitutional use of red light camera technology, but has significantly improved safety throughout the state.

The following outlines Georgia’s initial use of cameras and action taken to stop the use and abuse of them for revenue generation.
Around the year 2000, the House narrowly passed legislation allowing local (county and municipal) governments to operate red light cameras. In 2007, Representative Loudermilk introduced House Bill 77, to repeal the laws that allowed red light cameras to be operated in Georgia.

The myth that the fine-cameras improved safety was widespread among his fellow legislators, and he was not able to get enough support to pass a complete ban. The bill was then amended in the House and Senate to place more restrictions on the implementation and use of red light cameras in Georgia.

Representative Loudermilk explains, “First, and most effective, was the provision that required all intersections that operate red light cameras to increase their yellow-light times to the minimum federal standards for that type (speed and length) of intersection, plus 1 additional second. When this portion of the bill went into effect, we saw immediate results, as local governments began reporting an average of an 80% reduction in citations. This also resulted in an 80% reduction in revenue.

“With the cost of the cameras now exceeding the revenue they were bringing in, many local governments began removing the cameras from operation. This began getting the attention of the media, who began to realize that the cameras were not about safety, but about revenue for the local governments.”

“Second, House Bill 77 also required that all local governments operating red light cameras would have to apply for, and be issued, a permit from the state Department of Transportation (DOT) to operate these cameras. There were strict criteria which had to be met before a permit would be issued by the state.”

1. The camera would have to be for a genuine safety issue. The local government must show demonstrable evidence that there exists a genuine safety need for the red light camera.
2. The city/county must conduct an engineering study to show whether there are other changes that would improve the safety of the intersection. This study must be provided with the application for the permit.
3. The city/county would have to show that they have made other engineering changes to improve the safety of the intersection (speed limit, infrastructure etc).
4. The city/county must hold public hearings prior to applying for the permit to operate a red light camera. A separate public hearing must be conducted for each intersection that a camera would be operated.
5. The city/county must provide annual reports to the Department of Transportation and the Legislature showing the number of citations issued, fees collected, and citations appealed by each camera within the city/county.
6. If the city does not provide the reports to the DOT or Legislature by the deadline, all revenues received from the operation of that red light camera must be sent to the state to be put into the general fund, and cannot be kept by the local government.

“The permits are issued for three years, but the DOT can revoke a permit at any time.”

“House Bill 77 also put in place a way for vehicle owners, who were not the drivers of the vehicle at the time of citation, to rebut the accusation. The owner of the vehicle simply mails a notarized statement to the court stating that they were not the driver of the vehicle at that time, and the courts may consider that as a rebuttal of the accusation and drop the case.”

“Georgia is now compiling the numbers that will reflect the positive safety effect we’ve had, as well as the number of red light cameras that have ceased operating since the law went into effect.”

“City of Dalton Mayor and council members have stated that as a result of House Bill 77, they are removing all their red light cameras and, due to the real safety improvements gained by adding the additional second to the yellow light time, they are adding additional time to all major intersections.”

Representative Loudermilk’s bio
Barry Loudermilk is a native of Georgia and a veteran of the US Air Force, where he served for eight years. While serving in the military, Loudermilk earned a Bachelors Degree in Occupational Education and Information Systems Technology from Wayland Baptist University. He also holds an Associates Degree in Telecommunications Technology from the Community College of the Air Force.

In 1995, Loudermilk returned to Georgia, where he started Innovative Network Systems, a computer technology company.

In 2004, Loudermilk was elected as a state representative to Georgia’s 14th State House District. Loudermilk is currently serving his 3rd term in this position. Loudermilk serves as Chairman of the House Aviation subcommittee, Secretary of the House Transportation Committee and the Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications Committee. Loudermilk also serves as a member on the Health and Human Services Committee, Science &Technology, and the Special Committee on Small Business Development and Job Creation.

During his freshman term as a legislator, Loudermilk sponsored key pieces of legislation including the act which repealed the requirement to give fingerprints to get a Georgia drivers license. In 2005, Loudermilk was nominated as one of Georgia’s 25 state leaders to attend the inaugural class of the University of Georgia’s Legislative Leadership Institute. In April of 2006, the Civil Air Patrol, a volunteer organization associated with the US Air Force, named Loudermilk the State of Georgia Legislator of the Year. In August of 2006, Loudermilk was also named the National Legislator of the Year by the Civil Air Patrol, and the Public Servant of the Year by the Advocates for Children organization. Loudermilk was voted one of the “50 Most Influential Georgians” of 2008 by James Magazine.
Loudermilk is a licensed private pilot and certified search and rescue ground team leader. He continues to serve his country and state as an active officer in the Civil Air Patrol, where he has attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and is the commander of the Civil Air Patrol legislative squadron.
Loudermilk lives in the Cassville area of Bartow County with his wife Desiree and their three grown children.

This event will begin promptly at 10:00 am
Media is welcome to use photos, graphics and text from www.wiseupwinnipeg.com. Higher resolution photos are available upon request.

Following the presentations, Representative Loudermilk will be available to speak with attending media.
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If you’d like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Congressman Representative Loudermilk contact Larry Stefanuik @ 482-2756 (Endeavor to Achieve) or Todd Dube @ 795-5120 or eMAIL Larry@wiseupwinnipeg.com or To

October 22/09 For immediate release.

WiseUpWinnipeg announces two Pro-Safety Rallies this coming Weekend

WiseUpWinnipeg has now confirmed 2 Winnipeg intersections where amber times are less than the city's minimum standard of 4.0 seconds.

Tickets are still being issued regardless of shortened amber times. This is unfair and another example of how the City is taking advantage of poor infrastructure to increase the rate of violations. Tickets never used to be issued if ambers were under 4.0 however they are being issued now.

Qualified research shows that for every 10th of a second the amber is reduced, it increases potential of “violation” by between 10-20%, as well as thepotential for collision (primarily rear-ends) by 12.5% to 22.5%. Many Winnipeg intersections are inadequately timed to begin with. With intersections ranging from between 40’ and 70’, it is not logical or reasonable to have ambers set at a static 4.0 seconds – and certainly not less.

When an extra second is added to a properly calculated minimum amber time, tickets decrease by between 60-80% and all types of collisions see a reduction of 50-80%. Studies suggest a 30% increase (1.0 – 1.5 seconds) to a minimum amber time virtually eliminates all types of collisions.

"The city is well aware that their mechanical signals are shorting amber times below their own stated minimum of 4.0 seconds which, at wider intersections, as stated, is inadequate to begin with. If the objective of the photo radar program is safety, the City should first ensure that it’s photo enforcement intersections had proper amber times by replacing the old and unreliable mechanical signals to ensure consistent accuracy of the timing and then add an extra second. These research conclusions are not new, they are just ignored" -Larry Stefanuik, WiseUpWinnipeg

The pro-safety rallies will be held at the following times;

Saturday October 24th 2-3 pm at the south/east corner of Henderson/Gilmore.

Sunday October 25th 2-3 pm at the south/east corner of Marion/Dufresne

Sign-holding WiseUpWinnipeg members will form a line bordering the road leading up to the camera intersection, advising motorists that they are approaching a photo- enforcement intersection as well as signs indicating it to be a shortened amber intersection. The public is also welcome to attend as WiseUpWinnipeg will be giving away another 600 signs.

Details and maps of the two intersection locations will be posted in our Events section of WiseUpWinnipeg.com

*****Also posted today at WiseUpWinnipeg.com

-A video address to Mayor Katz, Police Chief McCaskill, Justice Minister Chomiak and ACS. This video is a direct message to all these parties once again extending our invitation to participate in a public debate on photo enforcement. If we continue to not receive their responses, the debate will take place in their absence. They are challenged to produce the evidence that the photo radar program is improving safety, as required by the province for the programs continued existence. This video has been emailed to the Mayor and council along with Chief McCaskill, Minister Chomiak, ACS, the Premier and MLA's. This video is posted at the top of our Information Resources section.

-A video summarizing the first week of the WiseUpWinnipeg campaign including an interesting discovery that was made on Thursday October 15^th near Logan/Electa. See the video footage taken by Larry Stefanuik of an example on how a street can be made safe on one side and unsafe on another. This video is posted at the top of our In the News Section.

-Check out the picture of the day on our home page to witness a blatant example of the system’s abuse

For further details or questions please visit www.WiseUpWinnipeg.com or contact

Larry Stefanuik 781-9929

Todd Dube 795-5120

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

October 8, 2009

For immediate release.

WiseUp Winnipeg will be hosting a public event on Saturday October 10th (raindate is Sunday 1pm) at the southwest greenspace corner of Bishop Grandin & St. Mary’s Rd, from 1pm –2pm to give away 1,000 information placards for the purpose of raising public awareness of Photo Radar Enforcement including how this so-called safety program in fact makes our roads and intersections more dangerous.

WiseUp Winnipeg is the effort of two local citizens (Larry Stefanuik & Todd Dube) to educate Winnipeggers on the facts of photo radar enforcement – including the false claim that the program has had a positive impact on safety in the City of Winnipeg.

Larry Stefanuik is a retired Police Constable (WPS - Traffic Division). Larry has, for more than a year, openly disputed the photo-radar enforcement positions taken by the City and Province, showing rather that the program is a detriment to safety and is purely a revenue program. By using Low Speed Thresholds, Inadequate Amber Times and Inadequate Signage, the program sets up motorists and produces “violations”.

Todd Dube is a Winnipeg businessman who shares Mr. Stefanuik’s motivation to inform the public of the facts and history of photo radar enforcement. Mr. Dube provided for the cost of the awareness placards. “To me photo-radar represents more than just the cash-grab that it certainly is – it’s also symbolic of how far we’ve let our governments and bureaucracies run astray. Our politicians and police should be ashamed of themselves for employing the word “safety” in their notional pursuit of fundraising from vehicle owners. We hope citizens wise up and question all aspects of this program including how it is that we listen endlessly to politicians talk about complexities, legislation and other obstructions that impede them from making real progress on issues, including real public safety issues, yet a few can get together on a Friday night and change the wording of the law so that not only can this fundraising scheme continue – it also doesn’t have to refund its ill-gotten gains. Larry has been ignored by
the establishment long enough and it’s time the public delivered the message that ignoring the facts is no longer an option. They cannot support their claim of improved safety, which is required for the programs’ continued existence and it’s time they answered on it.”

Mr. Stefanuik has presented qualified research to the attention of City Councillors and Provincial MLA’s. This research discredits the leading report used by camera companies to sell photo radar enforcement and reveals that adding one second to the amber light time virtually eliminates red light violations, speeding through the intersection and brings a high reduction to all types of intersection collisions. The research proves that an inadequate amber length creates a Dilemma Zone. This Zone causes motorists to make a split second decision to either brake hard (risking rear end collision), maintain speed (risking violation within the 1st second of the signal change) or accelerate to get through and risk momentarily rising above a low speed threshold setting. This Dilemma Zone is the main contributor to violations and rear-end collisions. It is estimated that 80% of red light tickets issued occur within a fraction of the first second of the signal change to red. This first second is not a factor in
collisions, as both signal directions are red for one second.

Mr. Stefanuik has exampled the case of a 64 year old Grandmother who was driving 11 kph under the speed limit when she entered an intersection with an inadequate amber time of 3.9 seconds. Due to aged signals, the amber time is frequently lower than the City of Winnipeg minimum standard of 4.0 seconds. In this case, the Grandmother entered the intersection during the first 10th of a second of it being red. Had the Amber been set at the City stated minimum, she would not have received a ticket. How many other motorists have been wronged in this fashion? With intersection lengths ranging from 40’ to 70’, it is neither logical nor reasonable to have all Ambers set at 4.0 seconds (or less).

Other jurisdictions that have adopted the extra second, or were forced by legislation to adopt it, saw an average 80% reduction in tickets and a 50% - 80% reduction in all collisions. Most cities removed their cameras due to a lack of revenue and were actually losing money trying to catch the hazardous ‘red light runner’.

We challenge the City to start adopting real methods of making our streets safer and suggest that they should immediately apply the widely known and available research conclusions and add a mere second to the top two violation-producing cameras in the City - and let the results speak for themselves!

The City should also implement traffic softening methods near playgrounds, school yards and Construction zones.

Photo Enforcement is the least effective means of making streets safer yet it is the one most relied on in Winnipeg.

Larry Stefanuik challenges the Mayor, the Premier, the Provincial Justice Minister and the Chief of Police to have an open, public debate with him on the facts of photo radar. Mr. Stefanuik will attend any media venue for that purpose – with one or all of these parties attending.

Below is the front and back of the bright yellow placards to be given away to the public.

Also visit www.wiseupwinnipeg.com for further details along with downloadable copies of Dilemma Zone research and other pertinent documents and reports.

For further information, questions or interviews - contact Larry Stefanuik at 781-9929 or email to larry@trafficticketguru.com

Click on above photo for clearer image.