Ottawa data: Return of speeding in locations where cameras were stopped

Ottawa —
New data from the city of Ottawa showed that the majority of drivers are now exceeding speed limits at eight locations that had speed monitoring cameras, before they were shut down by a provincial decision.

According to the data, less than half of the drivers currently comply with the speed limits at those locations, after the compliance rate exceeded 85% when the cameras were operational.

The city continued to collect speed data at these locations after the cameras were stopped on November 14, allowing a direct comparison between driver behavior before and after the shutdown.

The figures show that compliance quickly declined once the deterrent effect associated with the cameras was removed, reinforcing the position of advocates for using automated monitoring tools to limit speed, especially near schools and residential areas.

The city says the data will be used to assess the impact of stopping the cameras on traffic safety, at a time when the debate continues between the provincial government and municipalities about the effectiveness of these measures and their role in protecting pedestrians and students.

The report reopens the discussion about the relationship between traffic monitoring and driver behavior, as the numbers indicate that the absence of cameras led to a clear change in speed compliance at several locations within Ottawa.