Speeding Through Scarborough

The warm weather in Toronto this week caused the cancellation of Race Lab’s winter rally school, which was very disappointing. But with temperatures above freezing, it was the perfect opportunity to take the No. 16 Mazda MX-5 Miata out on the road. Miata’s aren’t known for being capable in the snow (light and RWD on race tires) but the roads were mostly clear.

Driving with the top down is a feast for the senses. You can hear every vehicle approaching and see every unpredictable pedestrian stepping off the curb. You can also hear the exhaust note pretty clearly, and one quickly realizes the “16” on the fender attracts attention from police. Like driving a race car on the street.

Speeding through Scarborough, on the lookout for speed traps and cops pointing radar guns, instead you’ll find the city has installed automated cash machines… oops… make that automated speed enforcement cameras. These dreaded grey boxes are all over Scarborough, and makes every driver feel like Big Brother Is Watching.

Toronto generated $34,000,000 in revenue from speed cameras from July 2020 to November 2022. Critics argue that the devices are not an effective deterrent to speeding since demerit points are not issued and driver’s records are not effected. But as a hungry motorist trying to make it to Harry’s Drive-In, the cameras have absolutely had an impact. There’s no less than 10 east end cameras trying to take your lunch money.

Take it easy on the public roads, people. There’s red light cameras and speed enforcement cameras all over the place. If you want to see what your car can really do when you push the skinny pedal on the right, just take it to the track.