Calgary's police chief speaks out against Alberta's anticipated photo radar crackdown

Calgary’s police chief has issued a grave warning about the potential impact of further restrictions on photo radar use in Alberta.

Calgary’s police chief has issued a grave warning about the potential impact of further restrictions on photo radar use in Alberta.

The provincial government is expected to release new guidelines on Automated Traffic Enforcement (ATE) in December, according to a memo sent to Edmonton city council and obtained by CTV News.

The changes include the banning of photo radar on provincial highways and roads that connect with provincial highways, restricting photo radar enforcement to playgrounds, schools and construction zones, and the elimination of speeding enforcement by intersection safety devices.

In a statement, Transportation and Economic Corridors Minister Devin Dreeshen tells CTV News his ministry wants to ensure photo radar is used for traffic safety rather than revenue generation, and has been working with municipalities and law enforcement to remove "fishing hole" locations.

Calgary police chief Mark Neufeld says restricting photo radar and cameras at intersections would not only lead to an increase in crashes, but would require officers be diverted from other important duties like crime prevention, and would put them at risk on more busy roads.

"If the use of automated enforcement is further restricted, police will be hamstrung in their abilities to address the traffic safety concerns that currently exist in our municipalities,” he wrote in a statement.

"While we try and address driving behaviour through in-person enforcement and education campaigns, research shows that enforcement – including automated enforcement – decreases speeds and the likelihood of being involved in a collision and becoming seriously injured.