Province to starve the photo radar cash cow

By Cal Braid
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

After enough Albertans created a stir about photo radar and its apparent focus on revenue rather than safety, the Province relented. It paused the introduction of new photo radar equipment and locations late in 2019. 

“Now, after thorough analysis and consultation, Alberta’s government is taking bold steps to restore public trust,” a news release proclaimed. Along with the news release, Minister of Transportation Devin Dreeshen held a 26-minute press conference in which he explained the rationale behind the move. To paraphrase, he basically said that too many people complained that their fines were proving too costly and were simply revenue-driven.

 Instead of reminding folks that speed often kills, the Province decided to discontinue ticketing on numbered provincial highways. Photo radar will be restricted to school, playground, and construction zones. Intersection safety devices (ISDs) in Alberta will also be restricted to red light enforcement only, ending the ‘speed-on-green’ ticketing function.

 It comes as a surprise to folks who have been in a vehicle during either a low and high-speed collision. Hours, days, and years of driving clean and worry-free can pass until –bang– it happens. Collision. Ask the folks who have lived it; it takes seconds and happens in the blink of an eye.

 Dreeshen didn’t get a free ride from reporters when the Q&A opened. For example, if city stats show a decrease in collisions near known photo radar sites, isn’t removing them dangerous?

 “We’ve seen such a mix of data,” Dreeshen replied. “I know that there are a lot of folks who say photo radar is needed to keep these streets safe but we’ve also seen municipalities remove photo radar, (and) we’ve actually seen safer streets.” He said municipalities will be free to do a site-by-site review and request photo radar be reinstated at high-crash locations.

 He further explained, “We ultimately want to make sure that photo radar is used as a safety tool and not just a government revenue generator.”

What about those who look at this as a green light to a free-for-all on the streets and highways?

 “We’re not banning speed limits obviously,” the minister said. Then he explained that after removing photo radar on the ring roads around Calgary and Edmonton, he heard positive feedback from people who were glad to not have to worry about fast approaches and sudden slowdowns for speed fishing traps.

 Municipalities will also be able to request that the province approve additional photo radar locations on an exceptional basis, for high collision areas and where other safety measures cannot be implemented effectively. These types of exceptions will be subject to an audit every two years to assess the effectiveness of photo radar at the site in reducing collisions.

 The next step for the government is to review every existing photo radar site in the province over the next four months. As part of that review, those that are deemed ineffective, or outside of a school, playground, or construction zone, will be removed. This is expected to reduce the current 2,200 approved sites by 70 per cent, which would also better align the amount of photo radar with other provinces. Currently, there are about 70 per cent more photo radar sites used in 24 Alberta municipalities than the next highest province. Allowing these changes to be implemented over the next four months provides municipalities time to transition, update equipment, and adjust contracts with vendors.

 Kara Westerlund, president of Rural Municipalities of Alberta said, “RMA looks forward to learning how current photo radar sites will be assessed and is optimistic that this will result in an approach that supports safer roads without unfairly penalizing drivers.”

 The ministry press release said, “Municipalities will be encouraged to use traffic-calming measures to improve traffic safety, including speed warning signs, speed tables (large flat speed bump), public education campaigns, and other tools designed to improve traffic safety. The province will also help make roads safer by providing municipalities with support to reengineer roads and intersections that have been proven to be unsafe.”

 The top five most-ticketed photo radar sites are in the Calgary and Edmonton areas and generate more than $15.2 million per year by ticketing anywhere between 50 and 145 speeders on average each day. In 2022-23, Alberta municipalities raked in $171 million from photo radar. If the Province is aiming for a 70 per cent reduction from the cash cow, that will leave about $51 million in funding from tickets alone to “reengineer roads and intersections” and hire hundreds of extra sheriffs to monitor the road race in the province.