For the first time in Toronto’s history, the City’s 50 Automated Speed Enforcement cameras will be fully operational throughout the back-to-school season to protect the health and safety of children returning to school by curbing speeding and providing an opportunity to walk and cycle in a safe environment.
On July 6, 2020, all 50 speed cameras began issuing tickets to vehicles travelling in excess of the posted speed limit. Between July 6 and August 5, one month following the start of issuing tickets, the speed cameras issued a total of 22,301 tickets.
During this period, the highest speed detected was 89 km/h on Renforth Drive near Lafferty Street (Ward 2 – Etobicoke Centre) where the posted speed limit is 40 km/h. The ASE camera on Renforth Drive issued the highest fine at $718. It also issued the most tickets at 2,786, representing 12.5 per cent of all tickets.
According to the data, the number of repeat offenders during the first month of operation was 2,239. The most frequent repeat offender received a total of 12 tickets for speeding at Crow Trail near Bradstone Square (Ward 23 – Scarborough North).
The total payable fine amount includes a set fine, which is determined by Schedule D under the Provincial Offences Act, a victim fine surcharge and applicable court costs. Automated Speed Enforcement tickets do not incur any demerit points and do not affect a person’s driving record.
The Automated Speed Enforcement program aims to increase road safety, reduce speeding and raise public awareness about the need to slow down and obey posted speed limits. The 50 cameras are installed city-wide on local, collector and arterial roads in Community Safety Zones near schools. Each ward has two ASE cameras that will capture and record images of vehicles travelling in excess of the posted speed limit. Signage is installed in advance of all ASE locations so that motorists are aware of their presence.
More information about the program and a map of all locations is available at toronto.ca/ASE. Anyone who receives an Automated Speed Enforcement ticket can view images of their offence online using the City’s Court Case Look Up application.
Residents with program-specific complaints, comments or questions should call 311 or email 311@toronto.ca. Ticket holders should refer to the information on their ticket or visit the City of Toronto’s COVID-19 webpage for updates on Court Services’ available online options at toronto.ca/COVID19.
Quotes:
“This data tells a frustrating story but I’m confident it will ultimately show over time a change in behaviour. Right now, it does show the need for automated speed enforcement across our city, and particularly near our school communities. For those who hate getting a ticket or dislike these cameras, I have some simple advice to avoid getting a ticket, simply follow the posted speed limit. Once again, no matter where you are in the city – whether or not there is a speed camera watching – please slow down, stay alert and obey the rules of the road. This is a very reasonable ask we that we make of our drivers for the safety of our children, especially during these times. We are doing everything we can as a city government to help support families, the schools, school boards and provincial government with back to school and that includes our road safety efforts.”
– Mayor John Tory
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