Speed radar cameras are used in the city of Edmonton, in fact throughout the Province of Alberta.  This is a very efficient method of collecting money for goverment coffers in the form of fines.

The ticket is issued to the vehicle owner, not the driver, usually at least 2 weeks after the occurance.  Not surprisingly the camera locations are typically at the bottom of hills or zones where speed is reduced (construction, school ,etc).

My Interpretation

This very efficient method for identifying and billing speeders targeted at relatively safe locations, but good places to catch people, and is nothing more than a tax grab.  A way to raise revenue.

For me the fact it does not target the driver, nor dangerous areas are the key clues in my analysis.  Most telling though is the fact it comes weeks after the occurance at which point you just grumble, pay the tarrif and get on with life.

The Safety Argument

Dangerous driving results from throwing caution to the wind, not paying attention and believing it can never happen to me.

Being aware of your surrondings at all time, ready to take defensive manuvers and driving at a speed conmensurate with weather, road and traffic conditions constitutes save driving.

If you want to collect money efficiently, radar cameras are definitely the way to go.  If you want to make the roads safer you need to target dangerous driving practices.

Weaving in and out of traffic lanes, tailgating, not paying attention to your surroundings are the key contributors to accidents.  Even where speed was a factor, most often the ultimate cause is the drivers skill.

An interesting fact.

I have been driving for 44 years.  Of these 37 years were in jurisdictions other than Alberta.  I had one speeding ticket and one traffic accident (not related) in all that time.

Driving in Alberta for 7 years My vehicles have had 10 photo radar tickets (no accidents), remember anyone could have been driving.  Alberta’s system is not about road safety, it is just a tax.

Frankly I would rather pay Provincial sales tax for the revenue (like they do in other Provinces) and target traffic enforcement on the real dangerous drivers.