One half
approve of photo radar
Best at major intersections or in school zones
TORONTO December
30th – In a random sampling of public opinion taken by the Forum
Poll™ among 507 Toronto voters, one half approves of photo radar (49%), while
one third disapproves (34%). Just less than a fifth have no opinion (17%).
Support for photo radar is common to boomers (55 to 64 - 64%), females (53%),
those in Etobicoke (57%), voters born in Canada (55%) and John Tory voters from
the last election (60%). These findings represent an increase in those
approving of photo radar since the last time we polled this question (January,
2013, 43% - approve, 39 - disapprove).
Voters split on whether photo radar is revenue tool, safety
measure
Equal
proportions of Torontonians think photo radar is a revenue raising tool (37%)
or a safety measure (39%). One tenth think it is neither (10%) or don’t have an
opinion (13%). Those who think of it as a money maker are most likely to be mid
aged (45 to 54 - 42%), males (46%), the wealthiest (45%), in North York (42%)
and among those who voted for Doug Ford (50%). The last time we asked this, the
results were similar (January, 2013, safety - 40%, revenue - 37%).
Major intersections, school zones best places for photo radar
Torontonians
see major intersections only as the most important place to site photo radar
equipment (26%) and this is tied with school zones (24%). Following this are
“anywhere in the downtown” (12%) and on highways only (7%). Few see the need in
hospital zones (3%) or at prohibited right hand turns (2%).
“Photo radar has become more
acceptable in the past three years, and Torontonians now are equally likely to
see it as a means of raising money and a way of guaranteeing safety. It appears
they approve of both goals," said Forum Research President, Dr. Lorne
Bozinoff.
Lorne Bozinoff, Ph.D. is the president and founder of Forum
Research. He can be reached at lbozinoff@forumresearch.com or at (416)
960-9603.
