Not so fast: Edmonton non-profit, city councillor push back on proposed plan to restrict photo radar

An Edmonton city councillor and a non-profit that advocates for active transportation are questioning the Alberta government's decision to ban photo radar on provincial and numbered highways.

Late last year, the province announced photo radar would be banned on ring roads in Edmonton and Calgary, starting Dec. 1, 2023, and that it would work to ban "fishing hole" locations across Alberta in 2024.

A recent memo sent to City of Edmonton councillors outlines some of the forthcoming cabinet-approved policy changes.

According to the Aug. 30 memo, Devin Dreeshen, the minister of transportation and economic corridors, met with stakeholders to discuss the changes in June.

The province plans to ban photo radar on provincial highways and numbered highways, including roads that connect with provincial highways (like Whitemud Drive and Yellowhead Trail), restrict photo radar only to playground, school or construction zones, and prohibit speed cameras at intersections, the memo said.

The document from Craig McKeown, acting deputy city manager, said the changes "will substantially impact the city's automated enforcement program and the work of Safe Mobility in enabling safe and livable streets in Edmonton."

According to the memo, more than half of fatal crashes last year in Edmonton were a result of speed, and 21 or 88 per cent of them happened in locations where photo radar would be banned under the forthcoming rules.

Stephen Raitz, a board member with the non-profit Paths for People, said photo radar may not be popular but it changes behaviour for the better.

He said the group is calling on the province to reverse the changes.

"We're pretty disappointed because we see the photo radar program as a good way to enforce the rules of the road and encourage people to drive more safely and develop a safer culture on our streets," Raitz said.

Ward Nakota Isga Coun. Andrew Knack said photo radar has been misused as a tool in some parts of the province, but research has proven it has been effectiveon arterial roads in Edmonton.

"The right way to decide whether or not to use a tool like photo radar is third-party, independent research that actually gives you data," he said.

"If it's helping, continue to use it, and if it's not, you change it or you stop using it."

Edmonton drivers shared mixed reactions to the forthcoming policy changes with CBC News on Monday.

"Places like the Anthony Hendayand bigger roads like that, often you want to follow the flow of traffic," said Ty DeMaere.

While DeMaere liked the idea of getting rid of photo radar on highways, he said he supports keeping it in school zones.

Fay Stone said she does not speed because she worries about costly tickets, but has seen people slam on their brakes hazardously when they see a hidden photo enforcement vehicle on thehighway.

"It would be a nice idea to see only at school zones," she said.

Kelly Apacible said she worries people might drive recklessly, especially at night, if deterrents like photo radarare removed.

"If people don't abuse it, then that's good, but if taking that out creates more fatalities, then that means we have to put it back," she said.

Jesse Furber, Dreeshen's press secretary, said the minister was not available for an interview on Monday.

Furber said in a statement that the province wants to ensure photo radar is used for traffic safety rather than revenue generation and that it's looking to finalize approved locations by the end of the year.

The city memo said once new guidelines on the program are released in December, administration will review them, update city council and recommend next steps.