Get ready for more photo radar cameras on Saskatoon streets

Saskatoon drivers will see more photo radar devices on city roads next year.

Councillors approved areport from administration suggesting two additional cameras at existing locations, another rotating camera for schoolsand one in other high-speed locations as a first priority.

Currently, one camera rotates among five school zone locations, while another rotates among high speed intersections on Circle Drive. The new plan would seesix cameras operating in the city.

The plan also examines new locations for another batch of rotating cameras, including eight locations in school zones.

The schools suggested are Greystone Hights, John Dolan, George Vanier, St. Augustine, Seventh Day Adventist, Pricess Alexandra, Sister O'Brien,Silverwood Heights, and Bishop FilevichUkrainian Bilingual School.

Program may be made permanent

A two-year pilot program, which ran from 2015 to 2017,garnered more than 36,000 traffic tickets for speeding on Circle Drive and about 18,000 in school zones.

During the pilot program Saskatoon made a net profitof $1.1 million on the project.

The expenses amounted to roughly $1.6 million, offset by $2.7 million in ticketing revenue.

The city would have to apply for a provincial grant in order to continue the program fully. The money raised through tickets would go towardthe potential new photo radar setups.