After 38 years in use photo radar, commonly referred to as a “cash cow” will come to an end on April 1.
You can also say goodbye to getting a ticket if you speed through a green light, yet red light enforcement will still be in effect so safety could save you money.
The Alberta Government is doing away with the Automated Traffic Enforcment (ATE) cameras citing in a provincial news release that there was no clear evidence that they were improving traffic safety, despite generating millions of dollars in revenue from daily clicks of license plates.
The changes include prohibiting the use of ATE cameras on numbered highways and connectors, keeping them active only in needed areas such as schools, playgrounds and construction zones to promote safety.
“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,” stated Devin Dreeshen, Minister of transportation and Economic Corridors. “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 Traffic Safety Fund will provide $13 million over three years to help municipalities redesign intersections using traffic-calming measures and upgrade local roads and intersections that pose safety risks.
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$1 million in 2025-26
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$2 million in 2026-27
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$10 million in 2027-28
The updated ATE Technology Guideline also includes parameters for equipment testing and maintenance, data collection and reporting requirements, traffic safety plans, signage, and public communication of photo radar locations.
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