Mitch Zamojc, Peel's commissioner of planning, asked councillors to endorse Toronto's position to amend the Ontario Highway Traffic Act.

Both municipalities, and others, want the province to increase fines from $180 to $500, and consider introducing a host of deterrents including license suspensions and requiring violators to attend "refresher" traffic regulation sessions.

"The City of Toronto requested the Minister of Transportation to consider amending the Highway Traffic Act by increasing fines and penalties for red light running. The purpose is to further deter red light running in the City of Toronto as described, in their words, as an epidemic," stated Zamojc in a letter to council. "Regional staff are supportive of implementing additional measures to reduce red light running and as such are recommending that a formal request be submitted to the Minister of Transportation..."

The push to crack down on red light runners is associated with a red light camera program initiated by Ontario some years ago.

Use of red light cameras was piloted in Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, Peel Region, Halton Region and Waterloo Region starting in 2000.

The pilot was extended an additional two years in 2002 and during that time government officials said the project managed to reduce collisions resulting in personal injuries and fatalities.

In 2004, Peel was averaging 170 red light violations per month making cameras necessary, officials argued.

Based on municipal feedback, the provincial government gave municipalities the go ahead to make use of cameras on a permanent basis.

"The red light program has been successful in reducing collisions and has been well received by the public. Region of Peel staff are also supportive of these red light running initiatives and are recommending that the Region of Peel continue with the programs to realize improved intersection operation and safety."

Now, municipalities want the province to take things further and introduce harsher punishments.

In addition to hiking fines and suspending the driving permits of repeat offenders, municipalities recommend Ontario increase demerit points from three to five and publish license plate numbers of vehicles associated with red light running convictions.

Red light runners who cause injury would have the driving privileges suspended on the spot.

Municipal governments also want the ministry to consider slapping punishments on the person driving the vehicle, rather than the vehicle owner.

"The proposed amendment is a fundamental change to the current program (Owner Liability Offences- Red Light Camera) whereby the driver would be issued a violation notice," read the set of recommendations presented to Peel Region councillors. "This would now penalize the person actually violating the red light as opposed to the vehicle owner."