Editor:
Regarding Mayor Johnstone's proposal for means-tested traffic fines. While I applaud the social equitability of such a measure, by itself it will do nothing to improve traffic safety.
Punishments only deter undesired behaviour if people believe they will be caught and the punishment applied.
In my twenty-odd years in New Westminster I have only observed officers enforcing the speed limit once. If this is the common experience, then most will believe that the chance of an individual being fined is extremely slim. Why would anyone be deterred by something that probably won't happen?
A more fruitful approach would be to discuss with the Chief Constable the feasibility of increasing the monitoring and enforcement of traffic laws, perhaps with traffic cameras and special constables to monitor high-risk areas.
Paul Larose
