Red-light cameras, photo radar returning to 2 Calgary intersections

Six months after photo radar was scrapped on provincial roadways, the police have asked for it to come back to two high-risk intersections.

Alberta’s provincial government has given the green light for photo radar to return to two Calgary intersections.

The province announced in December 2024 it would be doing away with photo radar on provincial highways and connectors – restricting it to use in school zones, playground zones and construction zones – and ending the use of “speed-on-green” cameras.

The restrictions came into effect on April 1.

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Local law enforcement agencies have been permitted to request provincial permission to reinstate the use of photo radar at high-risk areas that see serious-injury or fatal collisions.

On Friday, the Calgary Police Service released information on which intersections had been approved.

As of Friday, Oct. 3, both red-light and speed enforcement will resume at the following spots:

• Both eastbound and westbound 16 Avenue at 68 Street N.E.; and,
• Both eastbound and westbound Highway 1A at Twelve Mile Coulee Road N.W.

Deputy Chief Cliff O’Brien says both locations have been “proven to be dangerous.”

“We know that implementing this change will make a positive difference for the safety of the community,” he said.

Sixteenth Avenue and 68 Street N.E. has had 37 crashes last year.

Police say the intersection has recorded speeds ranging from 111 km/h to 192 km/h.

The posted speed limit is 70 km/h.

Meanwhile, the intersection of Highway 1A and 12 Mile Coulee Road had 20 collisions last year.

The location has recorded speeds from 121 to 162 km/h.

The posted speed limit it 90 km/h.

Some drivers who frequent the city’s western perimeter say excessive speeding is a problem.

“I think the people of Bearspaw drive really nice cars and they drive really fast, and I think they sometimes feel the rules are for other people, and I definitely think we’ve all seen enough crashes here,” said Jeanne Ironside.

“I have noticed quite a few driving patterns of people who drive fast,” said Kiah Craig. “I have seen quite a lot of the fancy cars for sure. I would definitely say that driving fast around this area is definitely a pattern.”

Calgary police say there were 29 fatal crashes in the city last year, a 10-year high.

So far this year there have been 25.