Over 30,000 speeders were caught by photo radar in Grande Prairie in 2020 (EverythingGP file photo)

By Connor Gunn

photo radar

Alberta modifying rules on photo radar to ensure use is “not for revenue”

Dec 1, 2021 | 12:23 PM

EDMONTON, AB – Alberta’s government is restricting the use of automated traffic enforcement (ATE), putting the onus on municipalities to justify each location where photo radar is deployed.

The province says changes will start in April 2022 to enhance accountability and transparency, ensuring that photo radar technology is used primarily for traffic safety, not for revenue.

Changes coming into effect in 2022 that will help Albertans include:

• Restrictions on photo radar use in transition zones and on residential roads with less than 50 km/h speed limits. Restrictions do not apply to school, playground or construction zones.
• Eliminating double ticketing within five minutes.
• Mandating all photo radar enforcement vehicles be clearly visible.
• Requiring rationale and data for sites to justify the use of photo radar.

Kaycee Madu, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General says these changes will help drivers in Alberta.

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“Photo radar should only be used for traffic safety – not as a cash cow to squeeze extra money from Albertans. Our government has worked with police services and municipalities to implement changes that will ensure photo radar technology is used only to ensure our roads remain safe.”

Alberta Transportation and Alberta Justice and Solicitor General will work directly with municipalities and law enforcement agencies on new requirements.

Municipalities have approximately one year to enact these changes, including those that have budgetary implications.

The freeze on automated traffic enforcement instituted Dec. 1, 2019, will be extended until Dec. 1, 2022, to allow municipalities to implement the new guidelines.