2024 in review: A look back at photo radar changes in Alberta

Whether you think they make Edmonton roads safer or you think they’re a cash grab, Edmontonians will no longer be seeing these photo radars on all provincial-numbered highways and some intersections starting April 2025.

Earlier this month, the Alberta government announced it will be removing photo radar sites across the province by 70 per cent from 2,200 locations to 65 next year.

“There are concerns in relation to this. Without that mechanism of deterrence, I think you gotta be careful because photo radar does serve a place for certain groups,” said Dale McFee, the outgoing Edmonton Police Chief.

According to the province, the photo radar system was first introduced in 1987. It generated about $145 million for Alberta municipalities in 2023. The government called photo radar a “cash cow”, saying the province wants to ensure photo radar is used for traffic safety, rather than generating revenue. But the outgoing Edmonton police chief has a different opinion.

“If the problem that is being cited is about how it’s being operated then I think I would like to see more work on how it’s being operated versus just saying that it was a bad thing because there’s without a question some value in it,” said McFee.

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Starting April 2025, photo radars will be restricted to playgrounds, school zones, and construction sites. The new measures also include limiting intersection cameras to just light violations, which means tickets for ‘speed-on-green’ will be eliminated.

“I guess people are kind of doing it anyway. Especially on highways. People just slow down when they see them on the overpass then speed right back up again after,” said an Edmontonian CityNews spoke to.

Another Edmontonian said, “They’re trying to fill in their quota. It’s basically what it is. People just end up slamming on the breaks for photo radar anyway so I don’t think it helps or hurts, to be honest.”

Despite the changes, Alberta municipalities will reserve the right to request additional photo locations where enforcement is necessary. Mayor Amarjeet Sohi is not in favour of the new measures. Earlier this month, Sohi told reporters the City has been using photo radar ‘very judiciously.’

“There’s a process that we follow when we determine which site should be used for photo radar and that’s based on data. It’s definitely going to have an impact on safety,” said Sohi.

A report by the City’s Automated Traffic Enforcement claims Edmonton saw a 36.8 per cent decrease in crashes at photo radar sites — 1,944 collisions in 2023 down from 3,078 in 2022.

Last November, the province banned photo radar on ring roads in Edmonton and Calgary, saying it was being used to generate income and not improve safety.