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By Regan Tate

Provincial Government tightens rules around photo radar

Dec 1, 2021 | 9:57 AM

Medicine Hat, AB–The provincial government says photo radar shouldn’t be a cash cow and will be tightening the use about the system starting in the spring.

Changes implemented in April will restrict the use of photo radar. Municipalities will need to justify each location where photo radar is deployed by collecting and submitting data.

Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Kaycee Madu says “photo radar should only be used for traffic safety not as a cash cow to squeeze extra money from Albertans.”

The Minister of Transportation Rajan Sawhey says “these changes respond to public concerns requesting the elimination of ‘fishing holes’ or speed traps while maintaining high levels of safety standards.”

Other changes coming into effect in 2022 include:

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• restrictions on photo radar use in transition zones and on residential roads with less than 50 km/h speed limits
• restrictions do not apply to school, playground or construction zones
• eliminating double ticketing within five minutes
• mandating all photo radar enforcement vehicles be clearly visible

The provincial government will be working directly with municipalities and law enforcement agencies on the changes. They will have approximately one year to enact these changes, including those that have budgetary implications.

In November 2019 a temporary freeze on new and expanded photo radar was announced. Municipalities could not install new photo radar equipment, upgrade existing photo radar devices or add new photo radar locations. That freeze is being extended until Decmeber 1, 2022.

More to come……