Alta. to scrap photo radar on most residential roads, double ticketing within 5 minutes in 2022
The Alberta government extended its freeze on new photo radar devices on Wednesday and announced new restrictions around the controversial enforcement practice.
Starting in April 2022, photo radar will not be allowed on residential roads with a speed limit below 50 km/h unless in a school, playground or construction zone, Transportation Minister Rajan Sawhney said.
Photo radar use in school and construction zones will be restricted to when school is in session and when workers are present, respectively, the minister added.
Sawhney also promised drivers would not get multiple tickets within five minutes of each other.
"These new rules will put a stop to photo radar fishing holes or speed traps," Sawhney said. "This is about making sure photo radar will be used to improve traffic safety."
FREEZE EXTENDED
The two-year freeze on new photo radar equipment announced in December 2019 has also been extended for another year.
Sawhney explained the extension will give municipalities more time to gather and give the province data that shows why photo radar should be used in any given location with the intent to increase safety — not make money.
"It's really important to understand exactly what's happening in terms of these photo radar sites are selected, and that requires making sure that we have the data collected by the municipalities. Once you have that information, it's going to inform any other further policy changes," Sawhney said.
"The data collection aspect, which municipalities will be required to submit, is going to be used to determine what future site selection is going to look like...if it's not showing any significant reduction in safety initiative, then that would be a good reason to remove that site."
The freeze was extended to Dec. 1, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Boeing's financial woes continue, while families of crash victims urge U.S. to prosecute the company
Boeing said Wednesday that it lost US$355 million on falling revenue in the first quarter, another sign of the crisis gripping the aircraft manufacturer as it faces increasing scrutiny over the safety of its planes and accusations of shoddy work from a growing number of whistleblowers.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.