Red light cameras only photograph vehicles that enter a monitored intersection after the traffic light turns red. Our lane-specific technology detects moving vehicles and triggers the camera just before and after the vehicle enters the intersection to clearly show the violation occurred.
Automated traffic-enforcement technology is an important tool to enhance traffic safety. It helps move Edmonton towards zero fatalities and major injuries.
How It Works
Intersection Safety Devices, known as red-light and speed-on-green cameras, monitor intersections and photograph vehicles that speed or run through red lights.
Traffic Safety installs and manages red-light and speed-on-green cameras in Edmonton. The Edmonton Police Service has been using them to enforce traffic laws at intersections since November 2009.
Understanding red-light and speed-on-green tickets
What It Does
Intersection Safety Cameras:
- Deter drivers from running red lights and speeding
- Lower the number and severity of collisions
- Improve the safety of Edmonton’s roads
Intersections are high-risk locations for collisions. Risky behaviour like speeding and running red lights has serious consequences including collisions, injuries and death. These consequences are preventable.
Did You Know?
In Edmonton in 2017:
- There were 13,924 collisions in intersections
- That is 58.2% of all collisions in Edmonton
- 70.6% (2,393) of injury-related collisions happened at intersections
- 13 people died in collisions at intersections
The direct cost of collisions in our region is estimated at $1 billion a year according to the Collision Cost Study done by Capital Region Intersection Safety Partnership (CRISP).
Since 1999, the City has used cameras to photograph vehicles that run a red light. A 2006 study funded by the Edmonton Police Commission proved that these cameras cut collisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do when faced with an amber light in a signalized intersection?
When faced with an amber light at a signalized intersection, drivers decide to either drive through or brake and come to a complete stop. If they are near the stop line when the light turns amber, It may be necessary to drive through. However, braking and stopping is the appropriate action when possible.
What if the road was slippery and I couldn't stop for the red light?
If the road is slippery from rain, snow or ice, you should adjust your driving speed so you are able to stop for traffic lights, pedestrians, and other vehicles. Driving too fast for the conditions is not an excuse for running red lights.
How are intersections chosen for intersection safety devices?
Intersections are chosen using Provincial guidelines. Edmonton Police Service reviews and approves the locations and then the intersection safety devices are installed.
Can the cameras identify a speeding vehicle in a line of traffic?
The angle at which the cameras are set enables pictures to be taken, even if the speeding vehicle is within a line of vehicles. The technology only allows a photo of a vehicle to be taken if it determines that vehicle has committed an offence. The photos are taken when the vehicle is at specific points on the roadway based on violation detection. The camera is permanently placed to best record a violating vehicle at that location.
How do you know I was speeding when there is a vehicle travelling beside my vehicle in the photo?
Intersection Safety Device enforcement is lane specific. Speed-on-green and red-light cameras can monitor multiple lanes with the use of detectors embedded into the road surface or lane specific radar technology.
What happens after an intersection safety device takes a photo?
The picture is reviewed several times by different specially trained reviewers who make sure the vehicle actually committed a violation. Once a violation has been verified, a violation ticket is issued and mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner.
How do I know that the camera system is accurate and reliable?
Intersection Safety Devices undergo a comprehensive evaluation and testing procedure to ensure accuracy and reliability as required by the manufacturer and Province of Alberta Guidelines.
What do I do if I think the ticket was issued to me in error?
Once a Violation Ticket has been issued the matter is before the courts. This means that the decision to discontinue a ticket rests with the Crown Prosecutor's office or the Court. You can attend the hearing office on or before your court date to explain the situation or you can call Traffic Prosecutions at 780-422-1111 to request the matter be discontinued. This process can also be accessed if your vehicle or licence plate was reported stolen at the time the violation occurred.