Calgary’s streets have a different vibe these days. As I drove down Crowchild Trail yesterday morning, that familiar instinct to tap the brakes when approaching those once-dreaded photo radar spots has become a thing of the past. Six months into Alberta’s controversial photo radar ban, the numbers are finally telling a compelling story about its impact on our city.
Calgary Police Service recently revealed a dramatic 68 percent drop in speeding tickets issued across the city compared to this time last year. That translates to roughly 20,000 fewer tickets landing in Calgarians’ mailboxes each month. The change stems directly from the provincial government’s December 2023 decision to eliminate photo radar – a move that’s fundamentally altered traffic enforcement throughout Alberta.
“We’ve had to completely reorganize our traffic units,” explained Staff Sergeant Robert Patterson during yesterday’s police commission meeting. “Without automated enforcement, we’re relying entirely on officers conducting in-person stops, which requires significantly more time and resources per violation.”
The statistics paint a stark picture. During the first quarter of 2023, CPS issued approximately 30,000 speeding tickets monthly. By comparison, April 2024 saw just 9,462 tickets – the lowest monthly total in over a decade according to police records.
City officials have expressed mixed reactions to these developments. Councillor Sonya Sharp, who previously questioned the effectiveness of photo radar as a safety tool, told me she feels vindicated by the current trends.
“For years, many Calgarians viewed photo radar primarily as a revenue generation tool rather than something that genuinely improved road safety,” Sharp said during our conversation at City Hall. “The real test will be whether we see a corresponding increase in collisions or if this proves that targeted, in-person enforcement is actually more effective.”
The financial implications cannot be ignored. Calgary’s 2024 budget anticipated approximately $14.5 million in photo radar revenue. City Manager David Duckworth confirmed that council will need to address this shortfall during the upcoming mid-year budget adjustments, though he wouldn’t specify which services might face cuts as a result.
Alberta Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen has remained steadfast in defending the ban, pointing to preliminary provincial data suggesting no significant increase in serious collisions since implementation. “This was never about revenue,” Dreeshen stated in a press release last week. “It was about focusing police resources on dangerous drivers rather than someone going a few kilometers over the limit on an empty road.”
Not everyone shares this optimistic view. The Alberta Motor Association has expressed concerns about potential long-term safety implications. “While we recognize the limitations of automated enforcement, completely eliminating these tools removes a key deterrent,” said Jeff Kasbrick, AMA’s vice president of advocacy, when I spoke with him by phone. “Our members consistently rank speeding among their top road safety concerns.”
What’s particularly interesting is how this policy shift has affected driver behavior throughout Calgary. Several commuters I interviewed expressed feeling less stressed during their daily drives.
“I used to obsessively watch my speedometer even when keeping up with traffic flow,” admitted Jenna Williams, who commutes daily from Airdrie. “Now I find myself focusing more on actual driving conditions and less on whether I might accidentally drift 5 km/h over the limit.”
Traffic data from the City of Calgary’s transportation department reveals subtle changes in driving patterns. Average speeds on major thoroughfares have increased by approximately 3-4 km/h, though they generally remain within posted limits. The exception appears to be on Deerfoot Trail, where speeds have climbed more significantly during off-peak hours.
The police commission meeting also highlighted operational challenges resulting from the ban. Traffic units have been forced to prioritize high-risk locations and behaviors, essentially abandoning enforcement in some areas that previously relied heavily on automated systems.
“We’re focusing our officers on school zones, playground zones, and areas with histories of serious collisions,” Patterson explained. “The reality is we simply don’t have the personnel to maintain the same level of speed enforcement throughout the entire city.”
This targeted approach appears to be yielding some positive outcomes. While overall ticket numbers have plummeted, the proportion of tickets issued for excessive speeding (more than 50 km/h over the limit) has actually increased by 12 percent. This suggests officers are focusing on the most dangerous infractions rather than minor violations.
As Calgary adjusts to this new reality, the debate continues about whether the photo radar ban represents progress or a step backward for road safety. The true test will come when comprehensive collision data becomes available later this year.
For now, Calgary drivers are experiencing a reprieve from those dreaded envelope surprises in the mail. Whether that translates to safer streets or more dangerous driving remains an open question – one that our city will continue monitoring closely in the months ahead.
