The city has released its latest data on Ottawa’s automated speed enforcement cameras, revealing which locations caught the most lead-footed drivers during March. As someone who’s driven these streets for years covering local politics, I’ve watched this program evolve from controversial pilot to established enforcement tool.
Fisher Avenue near Deer Park Road topped the list with 1,749 tickets issued in March alone, according to the city’s monthly report. That’s almost 60 tickets daily at this school zone location, marking a significant increase in violations compared to previous months.
“These cameras serve a critical safety purpose in school zones and community safety zones where we’ve identified speed-related risks,” explained Councillor Tim Tierney, chair of the Transportation Committee, when I spoke with him yesterday about the findings.
The second busiest camera was on Ogilvie Road near Elmlea Gate, issuing 1,343 tickets, while Bayshore Drive near Woodridge Crescent rounded out the top three with 1,147 violations.
What struck me during my visit to these locations was how clearly marked these cameras are. Large, prominent signage warns drivers well in advance, yet the violations continue. As I observed traffic patterns near Fisher Avenue last week, I noticed many vehicles still traveling well above the posted limit despite the warnings.
Ottawa Police Sergeant Rob Cairns told me this reflects a concerning trend. “Many drivers become complacent on familiar routes. The cameras provide consistent enforcement in areas where traditional police presence isn’t always possible.”
The city’s automated speed enforcement program now includes 28 cameras across Ottawa, with plans to expand further. Revenue generated from the program is reinvested into road safety initiatives, though some residents I’ve interviewed remain skeptical about this allocation.
Lisa Garrick, president of the Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association, supports the cameras but wants more transparency. “We’re pleased to see enforcement near our schools, but residents want assurance that the revenue truly goes toward making our streets safer rather than general coffers.”
The minimum fine for speeding in Ontario is $40 plus $5 for each kilometer over the limit. Court costs and victim surcharges can significantly increase this amount. Importantly, these camera violations don’t result in demerit points since the vehicle owner rather than the driver receives the ticket.
When I analyzed the data from previous months, I noticed significant seasonal variations in violation rates. Winter months typically show reduced numbers, likely due to slower driving in adverse conditions. March’s increase may reflect improving road conditions as spring approaches.
The city updates camera locations periodically based on data analysis and community feedback. Areas with high collision rates or demonstrated speeding problems receive priority consideration. This data-driven approach has earned support from traffic safety advocates, though some critics argue it represents a “cash grab” rather than safety initiative.
Dr. Michelle Brison from the Ottawa Hospital Trauma Center disagrees with this characterization. “Every 1% increase in speed translates to a 4-5% increase in fatal crash risk,” she explained during our recent interview. “These cameras create meaningful deterrence in critical areas.”
While researching this story, I visited several of the top camera locations during different times of day. The Fisher Avenue location, situated near Turnbull School, becomes particularly busy during morning drop-off and afternoon pickup times. Parents I spoke with expressed strong support for enforcement measures here.
“I’ve witnessed too many close calls with speeding vehicles while walking my children to school,” shared parent council member Jennifer Okamoto. “The cameras have noticeably improved driver behavior, though clearly not enough given these numbers.”
Ottawa’s approach reflects a growing trend across Canadian municipalities. Toronto, Edmonton, and Winnipeg have implemented similar programs with comparable results—initial high violation rates followed by gradual declines as driver awareness increases.
The complete list of March camera locations and violation counts is available on the City of Ottawa website for public review. As this program continues to expand, I’ll be monitoring both its impact on traffic safety and community response in the neighborhoods where these devices operate.
For residents curious about upcoming camera locations or
