UCP still looking to remove photo radar “cash cow”

What’s on your grill this summer? For the UCP government, it’s a “cash cow” they’ve long had their sights on, photo radar in Alberta. 

Specifically, the province plans to remove as many as 2,200 photo radar enforcement locations. 

That would leave just 200 across Alberta. 

The pledge was made by the transportation minister in a Friday newspaper column in what might be the quote of the summer. Devin Dreeshen is quoted in Post Media saying he’s “happy to say the cash cow is going to be on the barbecue this summer.” 

The Minister says municipalities will have to show each photo-radar location is for safety, or it’ll be banned. 

“I think photo radar is really just a money grab,” said one Edmontonian.

Another saying, “If you’re speeding, you’re putting not only your life, but everyone else’s life in danger and you deserve the ticket.”

Last year, Edmonton placed 35 photo enforcement vehicles at 422 sites, giving drivers 135,000 tickets. The city also has 60 intersection — or red light — cameras, which issued another 280,000 violations. In each of the last 2 years, Edmonton collected $29 million.

Removing photo radar takes money out of the city’s budget, and some leaders claim makes the city’s streets more dangerous

“There’s been numerous peer-reviewed studies that show photo radar does make streets safer, just like enforcement makes streets safer, having more police out. Knowing you can get a ticket does contribute to safe driving,” said Michael Janz, Edmonton Councillor.

This city councillor wants more — not less — photo enforcement, to crack down on illegal parking and loud vehicles. 

“If we could have a 24/7, 365 noise monitoring camera, that would allow us to deal with dangerous drivers, speed racing, and other pieces,” said Janz.

26 municipalities across Alberta have photo radar — generating about $170 million a year. Dreeshen says the tool is more prolific in the wildrose province than in any other.

He feels cities and towns are using it to, in his words “pad their pockets”. In 2019, the UCP capped photo radar equipment and locations, and last year banned it on the Anthony Henday ring road. 

Dreeshen says he’ll meet with local leaders next week to discuss photo radar. A long-term plan is due by December.