Despite Premier Jason Kenney’s promise to eliminate speed traps across the province, Calgary police just announced their intention to continue using photo radar in over 30 communities across Calgary.
According to a Calgary police news release, the use of photo radar will be focused on the following communities: Albert Park/Radisson Heights, Aspen Woods, Auburn Bay, Bridgeland/Riverside, Cambrian Heights, Castleridge, Chinatown, Coventry Hills, Dalhousie, Douglasdale/Douglasgen, Dover, Fairview, Forest Lawn/Dover, Lakeview, MacEwan, Marlborough, Martindale, Mayland Heights, Mount Pleasant, Palliser, Penbrook Meadows, Pineridge, Ranchlands, Sandstone, Shawnessy, Skyview Ranch, Springbank Hill, Strathcona, Sunalta/Beltline, Temple, Windsor Park, and Winston Heights/Mountview.
“As well as photo radar, there are 58 Intersection Safety Camera (ISC) locations throughout the city. These cameras can photograph vehicles entering the intersections during all phases of the signal, including red light infractions,” the news release reads.
“These cameras continue to reduce collisions and foster a safer driving environment at our intersections.”
As previously reported by The Counter Signal, in December 2021, the Alberta government promised to tighten restrictions on implementing photo radars across the province to reduce speed traps by April 2022.
“Photo radar should only be used for traffic safety – not as a cash cow to squeeze extra money from Albertans,” wrote Justice Minister Kaycee Mandu. “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.”
As per a news release last year, the government said they would implement restrictions on photo radar use in transition zones and on residential roads with less than 50 km/h speed limits, not including school or construction zones.
At the time, the government said they would remove double ticketing within five minutes and require all photo radar enforcement vehicles to be clearly visible, so officers can’t hide while trying to catch speeders.
The Transportation and Justice Ministers also said they would be working with municipalities and requiring their rationale and hard data to justify installing traffic cams in their regions.
“We are taking action to tighten up the rules around photo radar. These changes respond to public concerns requesting the elimination of ‘fishing holes’ or speed traps while maintaining high levels of safety standards. Municipalities will be required to collect and provide data to support current and future site selection for photo radar,” said Transportation Minister Rajan Sawhney.
UPDATE
The Counter Signal has reached out to the Ministry of Transport, who recently got back to us.
According to Press Secretary for the Ministry of Transportation Rob Williams, the City of Calgary has only asked to continue using photo radar in locations where it is already being used, and a moratorium on new locations still stands.
“The City of Calgary is deploying photo radar in pre-approved locations, which is a requirement under provincial guidelines to ensure transparency and openness. The City has not requested any new sites, and even if it did, there is a moratorium on new locations and equipment until December 1, 2022,” wrote Williams in an email.
