Edmonton officials question UCP photo radar ban in most 40 km zones
New provincial rules that ban photo radar in most 40 km/h zones are not sitting well with some Edmonton officials.
The UCP announced changes on Wednesday that the minister said will stop "fishing holes and speed traps."
They will also eliminate about 120 commonly-used enforcement sites on Edmonton residential roads.
"I am a little troubled about a couple of the changes," said Ward Nakota Isga Councillor Andrew Knack.
"The suggestion you shouldn’t be able to use it on streets under 50 km/h goes against what we hear from the public."
In September, city council reduced Edmonton's default speed limit from 50 km/h to 40 km/h, affecting most of the residential roads in the city.
Knack said neighbourhoods are where most of his constituents want slower traffic and more police enforcement, not less.
"The public is often the one to say, 'I'd rather see it in communities'...I'm a little troubled that a change like that would happen without proper engagement," he said.
In a news conference, Transportation Minister Rajan Sawhney said the UCP's new rules will increase transparency and accountability.
Photo radar will still be allowed in zones under 50 km/h but only in school, playground or construction zones, and only if there are people present at the time.
"I have looked at the data and I know that photo radar does enhance safety outcomes based on what we know," Sawhney said.
The minister said municipalities will be required to provide data and rationale for why automated enforcement is being used in a particular place, but she didn't specifically explain why 40 km/h zones are out.
'FIRST THAT WE'RE HEARING OF THIS PIECE'
Edmonton's Director of Safe Mobility said she wasn't sure why the province brought that rule in either, and claimed it wasn't part of 2020 provincial consultations.
"This is the first that we're hearing of this piece in particular," Jessica Lamarre said Wednesday.
"Automated enforcement is an important tool in helping keep people safe in those spaces, and across the city."
Lamarre said the city would be conducting a review of its policies, and will be forced to look at other options on residential roads when the ban comes into effect in April 2022.
In-person police enforcement, expanding a safe-crossings program and traffic-calming infrastructure were possibilities, she said.
Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said he still needs to review the new rules, but he believes most Edmontonians still want photo radar in the city.
"At the end of the day we want our kids and our community to feel safe, and that's why we use this tool," Sohi said.
Knack said the city has data that proves its efforts to improve road safety, including using photo radar in neighbourhoods, are working.
"There has been a measurable change in people's safety on our streets over the years because of all of the tools we've been using," he said, adding he's happy the province is promising to use a data-based approach going forward.
Photo radar generated about $100 million in Edmonton in 2020. The city and the province split that revenue with some of it then directed to policing and victims services.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Police investigating shooting outside of Drake's Bridle Path mansion: source
Toronto police are investigating a shooting that took place outside of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion early Tuesday morning, a source tells CP24.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
3 Indian nationals accused of murdering Hardeep Singh Nijjar facing court in B.C.
Three Indian nationals accused of murdering Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar are due to face court Tuesday over the killing that triggered a major diplomatic rift with India.
Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife's edge.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
Highlights from the 2024 Met Gala exhibit: Sleeping Beauty would wake up for these gowns
Sure, she was a royal princess and all. But there’s no way Sleeping Beauty — either before or after her nap — ever had quite the fabulous wardrobe that’s been assembled at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.