Alberta considering whether to end photo radar freeze

A four-year freeze on new photo radar is set to expire in a few weeks unless the provincial government decides to extend it again. 

Since Dec.1, 2019, municipalities have not been able to install new photo radar equipment, upgrade existing photo radar, or add new photo radar locations.

The freeze has been extended several times, and is set to expire on Dec. 1.

It was intended to give municipalities time to implement a province-wide automated traffic enforcement guideline, and for government to assess data from municipalities to ensure compliance with the guideline. 

The provincial government has not decided whether the freeze will be lifted or extended again. 

"We're currently working on a decision of what will come after Dec. 1," said Devin Dreeshen, Alberta's minister of transportation and economic corridors. 

"Right now, it's just an internal discussion of what options could happen."

Parkland County mayor satisfied with the process

Dreeshen said Alberta's municipalities want clarity on the process. 

Allan Gamble, the mayor of Parkland County, said he has been satisfied with how the government has handled the issue so far.

"We do work with the province. We know that our municipal perspectives are considered when the province is making their decisions," he said. 

Gamble doesn't feel that the photo radar freeze is a "significant issue" in Parkland County. 

"The province is delaying that, and just doing their diligence and coming out with a a better solution for all of us," he said. 

Edmonton city councillor frustrated

Edmonton Ward Sspomitapi Coun. Jo-Anne Wright said she had difficulties communicating her views on the issue to the provincial government. 

"I have tried since April of 2022 to get a meeting with the transportation minister," Wright said.

"When he was re-elected and put back in this ministry, I did reach out a few times more, and I haven't been able to to secure that meeting," Wright said.

Wright said she's not looking at photo radar as a revenue collection tool. 

"I'm looking more from the safety aspect." 

Wright said her constituents are asking for ways to try to control the speeding on Edmonton's streets. 

Wright also took issue with the provincial Automated Traffic Enforcement guideline. She would prefer if the government rescinded it, handing control over road safety management to the municipalities. 

One of the reasons is that the guideline prohibits the use of photo radars on residential streets with speed limits lower than 50 km/h, except school and playground ones and construction zones. 

"The majority of our residential roads are 40 km/h," Wright said, and under the guideline the city wouldn't be able to install any automated traffic enforcement devices on most residential streets even after the freeze ends. 

Wright said if the freeze is lifted on Dec. 1, it would give an opportunity for the city's traffic safety team and the Edmonton Police Service to do an analysis and see if photo radar is needed at any new locations.