Driving around town, you've probably seen rumble strips and flashing speed detection signs on several neighbourhood streets. While these tools can help slow down traffic, speed cameras can help law enforcement monitor and ticket speeders.
As more municipalities across Canada begin to use this technology, here's what you need to know about speed cameras and how they could affect your insurance.
What are speed cameras?
Like radar guns, speed cameras use a radar system to measure the speed of passing vehicles. Because speed cameras are always monitoring drivers' speeds, they can encourage drivers to obey speed limits in high-risk areas, like neighbourhoods and school zones.
Speed cameras can drastically reduce the frequency of speeding and the risk of collisions when combined with road modifications (like speed bumps) and public education on the dangers of speeding.
How do speed cameras work?
As soon as a speed camera's radar recognizes a vehicle is travelling above the posted speed limit, the camera will take a picture of the vehicle and record the following information:
- The speed of the vehicle
- The vehicle's licence plate, make, and model
- The date and time of the traffic infraction
- The location of the vehicle and the direction it was travelling in
A police officer will review the information submitted by the speed camera to confirm all details are correct before mailing the ticket to the owner of the vehicle. The exact cost of the ticket will depend on the fines set by each province and territory, but generally, the faster the vehicle was travelling, the larger the fine will be.
Will a speed camera ticket affect my car insurance premium?
A ticket from a speed camera is different from a traditional speeding ticket issued by a police officer. Speed cameras can only detect a vehicle's licence plate, not the driver's face, so there isn't proof of who's driving when the vehicle is flagged for speeding. Without proof of who's driving, a speeding ticket can only be connected to the vehicle, not the driver. A ticket from a speed camera won't appear on your official driving record or result in any demerit points, so it won't affect your car insurance premium.
What are the benefits of speed cameras?
Successful trials of speed cameras across Canada are showing that they help lower driving speeds, which can reduce the risk of collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians.
Speed cameras also allow police officers to focus on enforcing other serious and life-saving rules of the road, like conducting traffic stops for impairment or distracted driving.
Road safety should be everyone's priority. Along with always following posted speed limits, brush up on some of these commonly forgotten driving rules before heading out on your next drive to keep you, other drivers, and pedestrians safe.
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