The two-year photo speed enforcement pilot project recommended by the all-party Special Committee on Traffic Safety kicked off across the province this week.
Cameras are now operating at all high-speed photo speed enforcement locations in the province: Highway 12 at Martensville; Circle Drive in Saskatoon; Highway 1 east between the Pilot Butte turnoff and White City; Ring Road in Regina; Highway 1 and 9th Avenue in Moose Jaw
Cameras are also operating at select school zones in Regina, Saskatoon and Moose Jaw later this week.
“The pilot was introduced to calm traffic in high-volume, high-risk locations where it is dangerous to enforce speeds manually,” said Andrew Cartmell, president and CEO of SGI. “School zones are included due to the vulnerability of children in those areas.”
According to SGI, there will be a two-month warning period to give drivers time to adjust. Drivers exceeding the posted speed limit in these locations will be mailed a warning letter instead of a ticket during this time.
Drivers should not be surprised if they are speeding and receive a warning letter, SGI states. Large yellow informational signs have been erected to notify drivers they are about to enter a photo-speed enforced highway area and black and white regulatory signs are also posted throughout the areas.
“This program is very transparent. We’re proactively telling drivers where the photo-speed-enforced zones are, and there is highly-visible signage letting drivers know when they’re in a zone,” said Cartmell. “Our goal is zero tickets and, more importantly, a decrease in speed-related collisions, fatalities and injuries.”
SGI will remind the public when the warning period is over.
Last year in Saskatchewan, speed was a contributing factor in 2,645 collisions, injuring 1,217 people and taking 30 lives, according to SGI.
For more information about photo speed enforcement, or details on other traffic law changes in the province, visit www.sgi.sk.ca.
