Edmonton disables intersection speeding cameras

Edmonton’s “speed-on-green” intersection cameras, which used to issue more than 300,000 tickets each year, have now been turned off — despite safety warnings from police and some city councillors.

“When you remove those tools that have had a measurable improvement in safety, you might see safety concerns or serious incidents start to increase again,” said Andrew Knack, Edmonton city councillor.

This change is in compliance with new photo radar rules approved by Alberta’s UCP government, which come into effect on Tuesday.

About 70 percent, or 1,500, photo radar sites across the province are also being banned. The transportation minister has repeatedly said he is slaying a “cash cow.”

“In far too many cases, photo radar penalizes hardworking Albertans without improving the safety of our roads,” said Devin Dreeshen, Alberta’s transportation minister.

Red light cameras are still allowed, so many of these poles will remain in place. Photo radar will only be permitted in playground, school, and construction zones. However, municipalities will be able to apply for additional enforcement locations if they can prove it’s necessary for safety.

These moves remain controversial on the streets of Edmonton.

“You’re going to charge somebody $60 or $100 for speeding through there? Come on now. In this day and age, people can’t afford that,” said one local.

“At the end of the day, if it stops people from speeding, I think it’s a value to keep them,” said another local.

Alberta is making $13 million available for reengineering safer intersections, but only $1 million is available this year, and that’s for the entire province.

Calgary is launching a new traffic safety team of 10 officers. However, Knack says Edmonton’s budget doesn’t have the resources to do the same — and he’d rather see more officers on transit.

“It’s just impossible for them to be everywhere and, quite frankly, that’s a very expensive solution to a problem that could be addressed using other tools,” said Knack.

The city of Edmonton says internal photo radar staff are being reassigned to approved sites, and there will be less work for contractors.

City officials are also reviewing the new guidelines before deciding whether or not to apply for more photo radar sites.