The city’s collection of six automated speed enforcement cameras will become operational on March 22.
The speed trap cameras use a camera and speed measurement device to detect and capture images of vehicles travelling more than the posted speed limit.
In past correspondence, city staff have declined to share what the threshold will be, other than transportation engineering analyst Ryan Purdy clarifying it “definitely won’t be one over the speed limit, but it won’t be 20.”
The city’s website notes that thresholds will not be disclosed.
“As speed limits are not guidelines — they are the law — there is no need to disclose threshold speeds,” according to the website. “Driving at, or below, the posted limit will ensure a ticket is not issued.”
There is no maximum number of tickets someone can receive, and tickets will be issued each time a vehicle exceeds the speed limit.
“This means you may receive more than one ticket at a time and it may arrive weeks after the infraction,” according to the city. “The time frame depends on processing times. The best way to avoid a ticket is to obey the posted speed limits.”
The cameras work to change driver behavior to reduce motor vehicle incidents, city Growth and Infrastructure general manager Tony Cecutti said in a media release. “The expected behaviour is that there is no acceptable speed over the posted limit.”
Ticket examples provided on the city’s website include $40 for exceeding the posted speed limit by 5 km/h, $95 for exceeding the posted speed limit by 15 km/h and $170 for exceeding the posted speed limit by 25 km/h.
The first six locations with automated speed enforcement cameras will be:
- Bellevue Avenue (between Picard Street and Ralph Street)
- Algonquin Road (between Maurice Street and Field Street)
- Falconbridge Road (between Donnelly Drive and Church Street)
- Main Street, Val Caron (between Justin Street and MR 80)
- Hillcrest Drive (between Brian Street and Mikkola Road)
- Gary Avenue (between Lasalle Boulevard and Madison Avenue)
The automated speed traps are portable, and will be relocated every four months, with the new locations updated on the city’s website and shared via social media.
The next six locations, which will find the cameras installed in mid-July, will be:
- Garson Coniston Road (between Maki Street and Falconbridge Road)
- Howey Drive (between Somerset Street and Downing Street)
- Bancroft Drive (between Bellevue Avenue and Kingsway)
- Moonlight Avenue (between Claude Street and Gagne Street)
- Bancroft Drive (between Hazelton Drive and Estelle Street)
- M.R. 80 - McCrea Heights (between Robin Avenue and Hubert Street)
The full list of 45 priority locations can be found by clicking here.
Ticket amounts will be $5 for every kilometre over the posted speed limit, up to 19 km/h in exceedance. Between 20-29 km/h exceedance, the fine is $7.50, and between 30-49 is $12.50 per km/hr exceedance.
Fines are doubled in community safety zones, even if it’s outside of school hours, and tickets are mailed to the registered plate owner of the vehicle within 30 days. No demerit points will be issued by the Ministry of Transportation, so driving records will not be impacted.
“The ASE cameras are an important tool to mitigate the safety risks associated with higher driving speeds,” Mayor Paul Lefebvre said in a media release.
“By holding motorists accountable and addressing the root causes of accidents related to speed, we hope to significantly reduce the number of traffic incidents and improve pedestrian, cyclist and motorist safety in our community."
For more information, including fine examples and how to pay fines, visit the city’s website at greatersudbury.ca/ase.
Greater Sudbury city council has been talking about installing speed trap cameras since at least 2016, OK’d staff to pursue them in 2021, and approved them during 2023 budget deliberations.
