One of SaanichB次元官网网址檚 newly elected councillors is leading a push to make higher-income earners pay heftier traffic tickets.
Coun. Teale Phelps Bondaroff is proposing fines should be based on how much money a person makes, rather than a flat rate. ItB次元官网网址檚 just one of four motions introduced at a Jan. 9 council meeting which he hopes will make it to the floor of the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) convention this September.
B次元官网网址淵ou donB次元官网网址檛 want people with low incomes being absolutely broken by a ticket B次元官网网址� having their ability to afford groceries that month dramatically impacted, or not being to afford rent B次元官网网址� at the same time, you donB次元官网网址檛 want the ultra-wealthy to have carte blanche to break the law,B次元官网网址� Phelps Bondaroff told the Saanich B次元官网网址.
B次元官网网址淭he idea is to exert the same deterrent force on all drivers,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淏ecause $100 means something different to someone who makes $35,000 a year compared to someone who makes half a million, you really need a fines system based on income to exert the same deterrent force on people.B次元官网网址�
Phelps Bondaroff, a first time councillor, also wants the province to allow municipalities to implement traffic enforcement cameras on local roads B次元官网网址� which he says are an effective tool for decreasing the cost enforcement while increasing compliance. If the motion passes the council hurdle, he wants to ask the B.C. government to reverse its effective ban on municipalities installing red-light and speeding cameras.
While the two motions are likely to stir up a bit of controversy around Greater Victoria and beyond, he says his suggestions arenB次元官网网址檛 anything new. Countries like Finland, Switzerland, Denmark and Sweden have already implemented similar systems and all boast impressive road safety records, according to Phelps Bondaroff.
He admits that there are practical challenges which will need to be taken into consideration B次元官网网址� such as individuals who hide their income in shell corporations, or people who simply come from a wealthy family.
In order for any of the resolutions to be considered by the UBCM convention, they must first pass through Saanich council and the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC) convention. If approved at the UBCM, the provincial government will be obligated to respond.
Premier David Eby called the proposal an B次元官网网址渋nteresting oneB次元官网网址� in a press conference last week.
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