Automated Red Light and Speed Detection Cameras
According to the Office of Traffic Safety 47 per cent of all injuries and fatal traffic accidents in the Provincial Capital Region are caused by drivers at intersections. In 2011, 50 per cent of the fatal collisions occurred at intersection.
To curb this trend, more and more cities in Canada are installing red-light cameras along with speed detection cameras at intersections. These fully automated devices collect all of the evidence authorities need to prosecute light-runners and speeders at intersections.
The current locations of the Red Light and Speed Detection Cameras can be found on the locations page.
In a typical system, cameras are positioned at the corners of an intersection, on poles a few metres high. The cameras point inward, so they can photograph vehicles driving through the intersection. Generally, a red-light system has cameras at all four corners of an intersection to photograph vehicles going in different directions and get pictures from different angles.
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about automated intersection cameras:
Do the cameras photograph every vehicle passing through an intersection?
Does someone review the photographs before motorists are ticketed? What is the fine?
Will the registered vehicle owner receive any demerit points?
How often do drivers run red lights?
What intersections in Sherwood Park are equipped with red light cameras and speed detection devices?
How do red-light cameras increase safety?
Are the intersections with red light cameras signed to warn motorists?
How is the red-light violation documented?
Isn't regular police enforcement enough?
Do red light cameras violate privacy?
Does the camera for speed detection look different than a red light camera?
How accurate is the speed measurement?
Where does the money from photo enforcement go?
What was the total cost of photo enforcement tickets?
Who can I call if I have a question about my ticket?
Do the cameras photograph every vehicle passing through an intersection?
No, only vehicles committing a red light or speed infraction will be photographed. In the case of a red light, only vehicles that are entering an intersection after the light has turned red and have not come to a full stop prior to entering the intersection are photographed. Drivers who enter on yellow and find themselves in an intersection when the light changes to red are not photographed. In the case of a speed infraction, any vehicle that enters the intersection over the set threshold speed will be captured by the camera. A speed infraction will be recorded on any light phase – red, yellow or green. It is possible to receive two tickets if a vehicle enters an intersection on a red light and above the speed limit for that section of roadway.
Does someone review the photographs before motorists are ticketed? What is the fine?
Yes, trained personnel review every picture to verify the vehicle is in violation of the traffic signal. Tickets are mailed to vehicle owners where it is clear the vehicle ran the red light or was over the set threshold speed. The registered owner of the vehicle in violation of a red light will receive a $287.00 ticket. Speed infractions follow the specified penalties as listed in the Alberta Traffic Safety Act for speed offenses.
Will the registered vehicle owner receive any demerit points?
No, photo enforcement for intersection violations do not carry any demerits.
Will I get a ticket for turning right on a red?
Yes, you will be ticketed if you fail to come to a full stop before turning right at a red light at intersections equipped with an intersection safety camera. Based upon speed, and the time between photographs, it can be proven that a vehicle has failed to stop prior to making a right hand turn on a red light.
How often do drivers run red lights?
Too often! In 2010, Strathcona County issued 1,119 red light camera tickets and the speed detection program issued 7,471 tickets for speeding through the intersection.
What intersections in Sherwood Park are equipped with red light cameras and speed detection devices?
The current location for the Red Light and Speed Detection Cameras are as follows:
Wye Road and Ordze West bound
Wye Road and Sherwood Drive East and West bound
Wye Road and Brentwood Blvd East and West bound
Wye Road and Clover Bar road East bound
Baseline Road and Broadmoor Blvd
Baseline Road and Sherwood Dr. West and South bound
Baseline Road and Clover Bar road West and East bound
How do red-light cameras increase safety?
Public awareness of red-light cameras reduces aggressive driving behavior at the targeted intersections. Studies have shown that red-light violation rates can decrease as much as 42 per cent within a few months of camera installation. The benefits of improved driving habits even spread into intersections without cameras. The devices are a tool used by the Strathcona County Enforcement units to improve driving behavior.
Are the intersections with red light cameras signed to warn motorists?
The intersections using the Intersection safety devices are signed in all four directions.
How is the red-light violation documented?
The red-light camera takes two photographs. The first photo is taken when the light turns red and the vehicle is about to enter an intersection. The second photograph shows the offending vehicle in the intersection. Both photos show the vehicle's rear licence plate only - not its driver or occupants.
Isn't regular police enforcement enough?
It is difficult for police to enforce red-light infractions because the police must follow offenders through the light to catch them. This can endanger other motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, as well as the officers. Communities also can't afford to have police patrol intersections as often as necessary to catch drivers who run red lights. The cameras allow police to focus on other enforcement priorities.
Do red light cameras violate privacy?
No. By obtaining a licence, motorists agree to abide by rules governed by the Traffic Safety Act. Motorists themselves are not observed or documented. Red-light cameras photograph a vehicle's rear license plate only-not its driver or occupants. The process has been reviewed by various Privacy Commissioners to ensure the cameras do not violate driver privacy.
Does the camera for speed detection look different than a red light camera?
No, the only difference is the operating software which detects red light and speed violations.
Does every intersection have speed detection cameras?
No, Strathcona County sets up speed enforcement at intersections where collisions, violation rates, and safety are a concern.
How accurate is the speed measurement?
The speed detection camera is very accurate; generally the speed measured is ± 1 kilometer per hour up to 100+ kilometers per hour over the speed limit.
Where does the money from photo enforcement go?
Definitions
Provincial Retention - Victim Assistance Fund – Provincially-funded Victim Assistance Programs.
Provincial Fine Retention – Province’s portion held for their costs in processing tickets.
Photo Enforcement Contract - County pays a contract company to supply and service photo enforcement equipment, supply manpower for photo radar vans and process film.
Photo Enforcement Advertising - Advertising Photo Enforcement sites.
Photo Enforcement Processing - County Staff - Review photos and prepare tickets, prepare documents for court (unpaid or contested tickets).
R.C.M.P. & Enforcement Services Operations - Photo Enforcement revenue is used to fund the general operations of the R.C.M.P. & Enforcement Services Department therefore reducing the cost for tax payers. In 2010 Photo Enforcement covered 9.75% of the general operating expenses of the R.C.M.P. & Enforcement Services Department (over and above the cost of Photo Enforcement). This equates to a tax savings of approximately .86%.
Note: Starting in September 2011 the province will be charging an additional $15/per licence searched.
What is the annual revenue for Strathcona County from photo enforcement tickets?
In 2010, after paying into the Provincial Victim Assistance Fund ($412,700) and paying the Provincial Fine Retention fees ($462,300), Strathcona County received $2,400,430 from paid enforcement tickets. This includes fines for photo radar as well as red light and speed detection cameras.
What is the County’s cost of operating photo enforcement?
The following figures are from 2010:
Photo Enforcement Contract $893,770
Photo Enforcement Advertising $1,000
Photo Enforcement Processing, County Staff Costs $122,000
Total 2010 Cost to County for Photo Enforcement: $1,016,770
Who can I call if I have a question about my ticket?
Call 780-449-0171 to discuss any questions you have about your red light/speed detection ticket.
Further information
780-467-7741
info@strathcona.ca
Last updated: Thursday, July 21, 2011
Page ID: 7992