Alberta cuts photo radar

The Alberta Government is taking steps to reduce photo radar in the province.

In 2019, the government paused the introduction of new photo radar equipment and locations. 

Since then, the government has conducted analysis and consultation into the matter. Effective April 1, 2025, ticketing on numbered provincial highways will end as photo radar will be restricted to school, playground and construction zones. 

Alberta will also be doing away with the “speed-on-green” ticketing function.

“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,” said Devin Dreeshen, minister of transportation and economic corridors. 

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

Over the next four months, every existing photo radar site in the province will be reviewed. Any deemed ineffective or outside of a school, playground or construction zone will be removed. The removal, according to the province, is expected to reduce the current 2,200 approved sites by 70 per cent. 

“The Minister’s announcement will ensure that the use of photo radar is focused on enhancing traffic safety on high-risk roadways. RMA (Rural municipalities of Alberta) 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,” said Kara Westerlund, president, Rural Municipalities of Alberta.

For municipalities, they still have some options for additional photo radar. Municipalities can still request additional photo radar for high collision areas and areas where safety measures cannot be implemented. These photo radar exceptions will be audited every two years to assess their effectiveness in reducing collisions at their site.        

Municipalities will be encouraged to use other measures such as speed warning signs, speed tables, public education campaigns and other tools designed to improve public safety. 

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