Last week’s column was about speed cameras in school speed zones in the Albany area and speed cameras in work zones throughout New York state. The column described the thousands of drivers caught on the various speed cameras and fined for the violation. It also promoted the use of speed cameras as a potential solution to the speeding problem.

If you think the number of drivers captured by the cameras for speeding in work zones and in school speed zones in New York state was alarming, you might be interested in what the city of Ottawa is doing to address the speeding problem in Canada’s capital.

Statistics show 383,830 speeding tickets were issued through the automated speed enforcement camera program in 2024. This resulted in fines totaling $38 million (CDN), according to an article by Josh Pringle for CTV news.

There were 220,789 speeding tickets in 2023 (26 cameras), 127,939 tickets in 2022 (17 cameras) and 80,944 tickets in 2021 (eight cameras) through the photo radar camera program.

By January 2025, Ottawa had 59 photo radar cameras in operation. There are plans to install 24 new photo radar cameras on roads across the city by the end of this year, according to the article.

Ottawa statistics show 31,144 tickets were issued through the automated speed enforcement camera program this past January compared with a total of 19,634 tickets issued in January 2024, when there were only 29 cameras in operation.

Revenue collected through the automated speed enforcement camera program supports Ottawa’s Road Safety Action Plan and is reinvested into road safety initiatives for all road users.

In New York, speed cameras are allowed to be used in school speed zones, in work zones on limited access highways, and in some locations on the state Thruway. But other states and provinces may allow speed cameras on any road or highway. Drivers, be advised.