After previously pausing the introduction of new photo radar systems for traffic enforcement on Dec. 1, 2019, the Alberta government has introduced new measures to remove the majority of existing equipment in the province.
Alberta’s Minister of Transportation, Devin Dreeshen, announced that the province would end using photo radar as a revenue generator at a Monday press conference.
Starting Apr. 1, 2025, photo radar usage will be restricted to schools, playgrounds, and construction zones. Photo radar will also be removed from intersections where drivers were ticketed speeding on a green light; however, red light cameras will remain.
“These changes will once and for all kill the photo radar cash cow in Alberta,” said Dreeshen. “Albertans can be confident that photo radar will only be used to improve traffic and roadside worker safety and not to make money.
Every photo radar site in Alberta will be reviewed over the next four months. The changes are anticipated to bring the current 2,200 photo radar sites down to 650 locations– a 70% reduction.
The reduction will put Alberta more in line with other provinces. Approximately 70% more photo radar sites are used in Alberta’s 24 municipalities compared to the next highest province.
Municipalities will have the ability to request photo radar outside of the three key areas on a case-by-case basis if they can provide evidence of a high frequency of collisions. These exceptions would come on an “exceptional basis,” according to the province’s press release. The exceptions would be subject to an audit every two years to prove they’re reducing collisions.
Municipalities can also request funding for re-engineering to physically alter unsafe locations.
Dreeshen said that successful photo radar should slow drivers down immediately, not result in them being mailed a ticket weeks later. A ticket they aren’t receiving anyway, thanks to the Canada Post strike.
The Alberta government said it encourages municipalities to use other measures to improve traffic safety, like speed warning signs, speed bumps, and education campaigns.
Photo radar generated $145 million in the province in 2023. However, Dreeshen said that the revenue came at the expense of the public’s trust.
“Let me be clear. Our government has zero tolerance for dangerous or reckless driving. Traditional enforcement has always been and always will be important to keep our roads and communities safe,” said Dreeshen. “These changes ensure that enforcement focuses on where it matters most — protecting lives and enhancing safety on our roads.”
While some municipalities have claimed that photo radar has resulted in fewer tickets and collisions, Dreeshen argued that the data show mixed results. For example, he said that some municipalities have also removed photo radar and seen fewer collisions.
Alberta previously banned photo radar “fishing holes” that focused on revenue generation instead of traffic safety on ring roads in Edmonton and Calgary in Nov. 2023.
Dreeshen highlighted Camrose as a successful photo radar program. He said they lose money on photo radar, but nobody speeds through the city.
“And that’s something that we want to work with municipalities to make sure we can help them use photo radar as a traffic safety tool and not as a revenue generator,” he said.
While photo radar will decrease, Dreeshen said cities could install more red light cameras. However, he said that, at least with those, the data are clear: drivers slow down because of red light cameras.
Alberta’s most recent fiscal update brought its surplus to $4.6 billion in 2024-25, a further increase from the updated $2.9 billion after the initially forecasted $367 million surplus.
The photo radar changes are expected to negatively affect the province’s and municipalities’ bottom line. The province recently faced backlash for its proposed auto insurance reforms.