How many tickets do you think the city handed out for parking and speeding violations last year?

The answer? Nearly 6,000 parking tickets last year and more than 100 speeding tickets. 

City spokesperson Saxon Chung said the municipal government issued a total of 5,998 tickets for parking faux-pas with another 135 for those who went too fast.

"While there is no single location that accounted for the highest number of tickets, the majority were issued for metered parking spaces along 46, 47, 48, 49, 51, and 52 Streets," said Chung in response to questions from ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø.

As for the speedsters, the most significant infraction the city has on record is someone who drove 125 km/h in an 80 km/h zone. 

Additionally, the highest speed documented within a school zone — where the speed limit is 30 km/h 24 hours a day, seven days a week — was 80 km/h, Chung added.

Coun. Tom McLennan described the city's ticketing statistics as an operational issue. He explained that council sets bylaw's priorities which include traffic safety. However, council does not — and should not — direct how bylaw specifically enforces laws and how many tickets they hand out, he added.

"In terms of speeding in school zones, I believe some street design choices could improve safety," said McLennan, who noted upcoming crosswalk improvements by N.J. Macpherson and St Joseph Schools that will occur this year as an example. "This is to reduce the width of the street near these schools to slow cars down. Speed bumps could also be an option, although these could cause issues with snow clearing."

For the longer term, McLennan said the transportation master plan will explore other ways to slow down traffic, especially in school zones. It could also lead to a standard street design for future roadwork, he noted.

Coun. Steve Payne said he thinks bylaw officers are doing what they should.

"Both parking and speeding tickets are directly because of people not following the rules," said Payne. "Until peoples' behaviour change we will have ticket numbers like above. School zone speeding is out of control. I’ve witnessed it. I’ve called people out on it."

Payne added he would support higher fines in school zones. 

"There is nothing more important to me than the safety of our kids," he said.