City Data Reveals Spike in Speeding After Camera Removal

School Zone Speeding Surges After Camera Removal as Compliance Drops Sharply

Speeding in school zones has surged dramatically after the removal of automated enforcement cameras, according to new data from the City of Ottawa. The findings highlight a sharp decline in driver compliance and raise fresh concerns about road safety near schools.

Compliance Falls Rapidly After Camera Ban

Data shows that compliance with posted speed limits in eight monitored school zones dropped from 87% to just 41% within three months of the cameras being turned off. The decline began almost immediately, with compliance falling to 51% within just three weeks of removal.

The province enforced the ban in November, with Doug Ford describing automated speed cameras as a “cash grab.” However, city officials argue the data clearly shows the opposite.

Speed Cameras Previously Delivered Strong Results

Ottawa initially introduced speed cameras in 2020 as part of a pilot program in school zones. Before installation, only 16% of drivers followed speed limits.

Over four years, compliance improved significantly:

• Compliance rose from 16% to 87%
• High-end speeding (15 km/h over limit) dropped from 14% to 0.3%

These figures demonstrated the effectiveness of automated enforcement in reducing dangerous driving behavior.

Dangerous Speeding Makes a Comeback

Since the cameras were removed, risky driving has returned quickly:

• High-end speeding increased from 0.3% to 4.5%
• More drivers are exceeding safe speed limits in school areas

Officials warn that this trend puts pedestrians—especially children—at greater risk.

City Officials Say Data Proves Cameras Worked

Local leaLocal officials say the latest figures align closely with what they have been observing in recent weeks. Tim Tierney noted a significant and worrying decline in driver behaviour since enforcement cameras were removed. He described it as a “massive drop” in adherence to speed limits, adding that vehicles are once again moving too fast through areas near schools.ders say the numbers confirm what they are seeing on the ground. Councillor Tim Tierney described a “massive drop” in compliance, noting that vehicles are once again speeding through school zones.

Similarly, Councillor Laine Johnson emphasized that the data disproves claims that cameras were only for revenue generation. Instead, she said they played a critical role in improving safety and reducing speeds.

Signage May Not Replace Camera Impact

The province has proposed that installing larger and more visible warning signs could help reduce speeding in high-risk areas. The idea is that clearer signage may encourage drivers to slow down without the need for automated enforcement. However, city officials remain cautious about this approach. They note that the data currently being analyzed was gathered before these enhanced signs were put in place, making it difficult to measure their actual impact. Based on past experience, staff are not fully convinced that signage alone can match the effectiveness of speed cameras in changing driver behaviour and maintaining consistent compliance over time.

Further analysis will be conducted after the new signage is fully implemented.

Financial Impact on Road Safety Programs

The removal of speed cameras is expected to bring notable financial consequences for the city. Officials estimate that approximately $15 million in annual revenue will be lost as a result of the decision. This funding had previously been allocated to support various road safety initiatives, including traffic calming measures, pedestrian crossings, and community awareness programs. Without this steady source of income, the city may face challenges in maintaining or expanding these efforts. As a result, authorities could be forced to explore alternative funding options or scale back certain safety projects, potentially impacting long-term plans aimed at reducing traffic risks and improving public safety.

Ottawa had expanded the program from the original eight pilot locations to 60 cameras citywide before it was discontinued.

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