Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen announces changes to Alberta's photo radar system. (Photo: Government of Alberta)

By David Opinko

Alberta ending ‘photo radar cash cow’

Dec 2, 2024 | 1:13 PM

The Government of Alberta says it wants to focus the use of photo radar on public safety, rather than generating revenue.

Effective April 1, 2024, the province is implementing several changes in an effort to eliminate what it says is merely a “cash cow” for governments.

Photo radar ticketing on numbered provincial highways will end and this practice will be limited to school, playground and construction zones.

Intersection safety devices will be restricted to red light enforcement only and not “speed-on-green” ticketing.

As well, municipalities will be able to request more photo radar locations, but only on an exceptional basis. That can include high collision areas or spots where other safety measures cannot be implemented effectively. These exceptions will be reviewed every two years.

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Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen says he has heard growing frustration from Alberta drivers about photo radar and that this announcement is meant to address those concerns.

“This is great news for Alberta drivers. These changes will once and for all kill the photo radar cash cow in Alberta. Albertans can be confident that photo radar will only be used to improve traffic and roadside worker safety and not to make money,” says Dreeshen.

The government will spend the next four months reviewing every existing photo radar site.

Those deemed to be ineffective or outside of a school, playground or construction zone will be removed. That is expected to reduce the currently 2,200 approved sites by 70 per cent, which the officials say would put Alberta closer in line with other provinces.

The top five revenue-generating sites from last year are:

• Strathcona County – Baseline Road/17 St., 52,558 tickets (144/day) $5,956,573 in fines
• Edmonton – Gateway Blvd./34 Ave., 23,977 tickets (144/day) $2,717,393 in fines
• Edmonton – 170 St./118 Ave., 20,241 tickets (55/day) $2,293,980 in fines
• Calgary – Beddington Tr./Country Hills Blvd., 19,337 tickets (53/day) $2,173,167 in fines
• Edmonton – 127 St./126 Ave., 18,705 tickets (51/day), $2,119,900 in fines