Photo radar is returning to several Calgary intersections identified as speeding hot spots. The province has approved a third location for photo radar at eastbound 16th Avenue and 10th Street N.W. after removing about 70% of Alberta’s photo radar sites earlier this year.
In December 2024, Alberta Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen restricted the use of automated enforcement (ATE), removing devices from provincial highways and limiting their use to school, playground, and construction zones. The changes took effect April 1, 2025, eliminating more than 1,500 sites and ending “speed on green” ticketing at intersections.
At the time, the province said the changes were to focus more on safety issues rather than generating revenue. In a March 27 news release, Dreeshen said, “We have officially killed the photo radar cash cow and the revenue-generating ‘fishing holes’ that made Alberta the biggest user of photo radar in Canada. The updated guideline will ensure that photo radar is used for safety only. The new provincial traffic safety fund will support municipalities in physical improvements at key intersections, helping to reduce traffic risks and enhance safe roads.”
The guideline is based on four guiding principles:
- Transportation safety is the only goal of ATE programs.
- The Government of Alberta, police services and municipalities share a collective responsibility to ensure ATE programs achieve meaningful transportation safety improvements. Coordination and clear delineation of roles and responsibilities are vital.
- ATE programs must operate based on evidence, incorporating measurable safety objectives into local traffic safety plans. Regular evaluations, audits and public reporting are essential for maintaining program integrity.
- Transparency in program operations, including public reporting on ATE locations, safety outcomes and measurable improvements, is necessary to build and maintain public confidence.
Fatalities, speeding a serious issue
Following a fatal crash at the intersection of 16th Avenue and 10th Street N.W. in August, where a motorcyclist travelling at a high speed entered on a red light, both red-light and speed enforcement will resume on Oct. 6.
Between January and July, Calgary Police Service (CPS) recorded vehicles travelling between 103 km/h and 156 km/h in the 50 km/h zone at the same intersection.
Two other intersections already approved at 16th Avenue at 68th Street N.E. and Highway 1A at Twelve Mile Coulee Road N.W. will see photo radar reactivated on Oct. 3. Police say vehicles have been clocked at more than double the posted limits, putting others at serious risk.
CPS maintains that photo radar reduces average vehicle speeds, collisions, and fatalities while allowing safer policing on busy roads where traditional speed checks are challenging or dangerous. Residents in affected areas say that visible enforcement helps encourage long-term safe driving habits by “training” drivers to slow down.
Municipalities can apply for exemptions to reinstate photo radar at high-risk locations. To gain provincial approval, police must prove that intersections are dangerous and that other safety measures have already been attempted.
CPS is continuing to review collision data and community feedback to prioritize additional sites for reactivation.
Calgary’s collision toll underscores the urgency for action. The city saw 29 fatal crashes in 2024, which is the highest number in a decade. There have been 25 more fatalities so far in 2025, including five involving motorcycles. Officers have stopped drivers on Stoney Trail travelling up to 195 km/h in 110 km/h zones, with HAWCS helicopters sometimes required to track speeding vehicles that are a danger to the general public.
How speeding impacts auto insurance rates
Speeding tickets don’t just cost money. They stay on your driving record for three years and directly affect your auto insurance premiums. The rate increase depends on your record and the severity of the offence:
- 1–15 km/h over the limit: 2 demerits
- 16–30 km/h over: 3 demerits
- 31–50 km/h over: 4 demerits
- 51+ km/h over: 6 demerits
Even a single minor speeding ticket can raise your premiums by 10–25%. Two minor convictions within three years may increase rates by 25–50%, while three can lead to hikes of 35–100%. Major speeding violations, especially those involving reckless or excessive speed, can have effects similar to impaired driving convictions.
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