Since the province removed photo radar from the majority of roads, the number of vehicles exceeding 30 kilometres per hour over the speed limit has increased 128 per cent, according to a joint study by the City of Edmonton and the University of Alberta. Scientific data attributes the increase directly to the removal of photo radar.
Study findings and expert analysis
“We partnered with the University of Alberta to better understand these trends,” said Safe Mobility director Jessica Lamarre in her Tuesday presentation to the Urban Planning Committee. “Their predictive analysis indicates these increases would not have occurred if automated enforcement had remained in place. In fact, the analysis suggests speeds would likely have continued the downward trend observed over the past several years with consistent enforcement.”
She added that the city has applied to have automated enforcement at eight intersections, but the province has said it will not review those applications until September.
Collision rates and fatalities
Overall, the report found fewer collisions than historically recorded, but the severity of those accidents is more likely to result in serious injury or death. Last year, the city recorded 32 traffic fatalities, the highest since the city’s “Vision Zero” strategy began in 2015. Eighty-three per cent of those fatalities occurred along arterial roads and at intersections. The study also found that 67 per cent of pedestrian fatalities occurred at intersections. Additionally, drivers are at fault in approximately 86 per cent of vehicle-to-non-vehicle collisions, and red-light running increased by 38 per cent in 2025.
Mayor's response
“The data is clear — speeds on our streets are at an unsafe level right now,” said Mayor Andrew Knack. “I would hope what the Minister (of Transportation) can do is look at this data and hear the voices from groups like the Edmonton Police Service and say ‘You know what? Maybe this decision was made a bit hastily.’ For the longest time people loved to say (photo radar) is just a cash cow — the data shows more people are dying because of speed.”
Financial impact of photo radar removal
Removing photo radar has also slashed the city’s finances for traffic enforcement. The city collected over $52.9 million in 2019 through the Traffic Safety and Automated Enforcement Reserve (TSAER) fund, but in 2026 the city expects only $5.12 million — a 90 per cent drop in revenue in less than a decade. This means the city will need to add $530,000 annually to maintain the current level of enforcement, likely from property taxes. The city has already had to come up with $8 million a year to cover costs between 2023 and 2026. If the city steps up the program, which speakers at the meeting universally supported, it will need to find an additional $5.53 million to cover additional staff. Council will discuss whether to continue current funding or expand the program during the upcoming four-year budget deliberations.
Alternative safety measures
In addition to establishing a dedicated Traffic Safety Unit, the city is exploring extended curbsides, greater visibility of signals at crosswalks, and reducing street parking to improve visibility. Problem areas may see new curb extensions, speed bumps, and more intersections where right turns at red lights are prohibited. Unable to use photo radar to enforce safe driving, the city has resorted to these measures, particularly near schools, to prevent speeding.
