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Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) is a relatively new technology, and is rapidly becoming a proven and effective way to enforce speed limits and provide safer roads for our pedestrians, other motorists and cyclists. Pickering Council has endorsed the ASE program, and the use of three mobile cameras rotating through all 15 Community Safety Zones (CSZ).
The ASE Program includes the deployment of a roadside speed measurement device and a camera in the road boulevard that can automatically detect the speed of a vehicle and take a photograph of the rear license plate of speeding vehicles. In Pickering, these cameras are located in designated Community Safety Zones (CSZ) near schools where children tend to walk, run and play, and speeding vehicles puts them at risk.
Once the cameras are active, motorists photographed speeding through these designated CSZ areas will get a ticket. Offences are first reviewed by a Provincial Offences Officer to ensure accuracy, and if warranted, a ticket will be mailed to the registered plate owner of the vehicle within 30 days. Like speeding tickets issued by police officers, the fine amount will be based on how much the driver was exceeding the posted speed limit. As the offence occurred in a Community Safety Zone, the fine will be doubled. Tickets are mailed to the registered plate owner of the vehicle with no demerit points.
“Coming Soon” warning signs are installed for at least 90 days wherever a speed camera will be placed to alert motorists of its upcoming installation or re-installation. Once the speed camera goes live, the coming soon sign is replaced by a “Municipal Speed Camera in Use" sign.
Speed cameras will be rotated (in a 6 week duration) through the Pickering Community Safety Zones listed below.
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How automated speed enforcement works? If a vehicle exceeds the posted limit in an automated speed enforcement area, the automated enforcement system (ASE) captures an image that is stored and reviewed by a provincial offences officer. The ticket which contains a digitized copy of the image and an enlargement of the license plate, is mailed to the registered plate holder within 30 days of the offence, outlining next steps and the cost of the associated fine. Where can automated speed enforcement be implemented? Under the Highway Traffic Act, automated speed enforcement can only be authorized for use in school zones and community safety zones. What is a Community Safety Zone? A community safety zone is an area designated through a by-law passed by a municipal council to identify it as a road segment of higher risk or concern. Certain Highway Traffic Act fines (including speeding) are doubled in community safety zones and many community safety zones are located close to schools and school zones. If a vehicle is detected travelling in excess of the speed limit, the registered owner of the vehicle will receive a ticket. It does not matter who is operating the vehicle, the ticket will be sent to the registered owner of the vehicle. No demerit points will be issued. The total payable fines includes a Set Fine, defined under Schedule D of the Provincial Offences Act, a victim fine surcharge and applicable court costs. What is the maximum number of tickets someone can receive? There are no maximum number of tickets someone can receive. A ticket will be issued to the plate owner each time their vehicle exceeds the speed limit when a municipal camera is in use. The best way to avoid a ticket is to obey the speed limits. They are law not a guideline. Will automated speed enforcement ticket affect driver/owner records such as a demerit points? No. Since the ticket is issued to the registered plate holder and not the driver, no demerits can be applied. Are threshold speeds at which the cameras will be activated are being disclosed? No. As speed limits are not guidelines – they are the law - there is no need to disclose threshold speeds. Driving at, or below, the posted limit will ensure a ticket is not issued. All of our ASE locations are signed ahead of the device. Why does the registered plate holder receive the ticket instead of the person who was driving when the ticket was issued? The technology does not capture the images of the driver, only the license plate. Given the restriction of the image capture technology, a ticket can only be issued to the registered plate holder, not the person responsible for infraction. Why is automated speed enforcement being used instead of traditional enforcement? While traditional enforcement will still be used, ASE is a complementary method that enables police officers to focus on other critical and time-sensitive tasks. Through ASE, incidents of speeding can be detected on an ongoing and consistent basis, ensuring that school children and other road users always feel safe, not just during traffic blitzes. Using ASE consistently also lends to altering driver behaviour for ongoing road safety. |
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A reminder that the Region of Durham also has an ASE program covering their Regional Roads.
Speed limits are not guidelines, they are laws. Reducing speed is the best way we can reduce the frequency and severity of collisions in our community. Slow down and help keep our communities safe.
Pickering is now the 16th municipality to sign onto the Ontario program. It is anticipated that many other municipalities across Ontario will be using ASE to create safer roads. Learn more about ASE in Ontario.
This initiative is also in support of Durham Vision Zero, a long-term plan to ensure a safe transportation system that sees no lives lost or serious injuries on Pickering’s roadways.