The province is taking a significant step toward appeasing those who believe photo radar is nothing more than a cash cow, announcing new rules that will take effect in April.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
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Next April the province will restrict the use of photo radars in intersections and provincial highways as the UCP government said Monday it was ending its “cash cow” by eliminating areas where photo radar is used to generate revenue.
The province’s photo radar system generated $145 million in 2023, including more than $9.3 million at the four top revenue-generating locations in Calgary and Edmonton.
Photo radars enforcing speed limits will still be active in school, playground and construction zones, but will be removed from sites outside these zones.
Devin Dreeshan, minister of transportation and economic corridors, said the new approach will eliminate any penalties of photo radar sites that serve no benefit to traffic safety.
“Drivers have called it a cash cow, referred to photo radar sites as fishing holes, and with today’s announcement we will change that perception,” said Dreeshan.
New restrictions that will take effect April 1, 2025, and will remove photo radar from provincial highways and convert the equipment at intersections to be used for red light enforcement only, ending the ‘speed-on-green’ ticketing function.
“Every existing photo radar site in Alberta will be reviewed. Sites deemed ineffective or outside these critical safety areas will be removed. This change will significantly reduce the number of photo radar sites in Alberta,” said Dreeshan.
The province estimates the new rules will eliminate 70 per cent of current sites, from approximately 2,200 to 650.
Municipalities will be able to request the province approve additional photo radar locations for high collision areas and other roads where safety measures cannot be implemented effectively. Exceptions made would be subject to an audit every two years to assess the effectiveness of photo radar at the site in improving safety and reducing vehicle collisions.
“We are encouraging municipalities to explore traffic-calming measures such as electronic speed warning signs and increased visibility of photo radar use at remaining sites,” said Dreeshan.
The minister said municipalities will be able to apply for additional sites outside the above mentioned areas as well as apply for provincial engineering funding to “physically change unsafe locations.”
Dreeshan told reporters that after consolidation with municipalities the province has received a “mixed bag” of data when it comes to traffic safety and calming measures.
“I know there are lots of folks who will say photo radar is needed to keep these streets safe but we’ve also seen when municipalities remove photo radar, we have actually seen safer streets, so it will be a site-by-site review.”
The province says the engagement period between municipalities ran for three months this summer beginning in June.
