Ottawa is seeing more vehicles blow past school zone speed limits since Ontario banned automated speed enforcement cameras — and parents, crossing guards, and city staff are taking note.
The cameras were switched off last November after Premier Doug Ford declared them a "cash grab" by municipalities. Ford argued the fines were unfair and that the technology was being used as a revenue tool rather than a genuine safety measure. But Ottawa's numbers are telling a different story.
What the Data Shows
Since the cameras went dark, the City of Ottawa has reported a measurable uptick in speeding incidents in school zones that were previously covered by the automated enforcement program. The cameras had been stationed at high-risk locations around Ottawa schools — areas chosen specifically because of their history of speeding complaints and near-miss incidents.
When the threat of a ticket disappears, so does the deterrent. That's the blunt reality playing out on Ottawa streets right now.
A Tool That Was Working
Ottawa was one of several Ontario municipalities that had invested in the automated speed enforcement program. The cameras operate on a simple premise: a vehicle is photographed exceeding the posted limit, and the registered owner receives a fine in the mail — no demerit points, just a financial consequence.
City data had previously shown the cameras were effective. Speeds dropped in zones where cameras were active, and the revenue generated — which municipalities were required to reinvest in road safety — was funding crosswalk improvements, signage upgrades, and other measures.
Critics of the ban, including road safety advocates and several Ottawa city councillors, argue that the province has traded child safety for political optics.
The Stakes Around Ottawa Schools
School zones are among the most vulnerable stretches of road in any city. Children arrive and depart in concentrated bursts, often distracted, sometimes darting between parked cars. A vehicle travelling even 10 km/h over the limit dramatically increases stopping distances and the severity of any collision.
Ottawa's school zone limit is 40 km/h when students are present — a rule that, without camera enforcement, now relies entirely on driver goodwill and the occasional police presence.
With Ottawa police resources stretched thin, consistent enforcement in every school zone isn't realistic. That's precisely why automated cameras were seen as a scalable, cost-effective solution.
What Happens Next
Municipalities across Ontario, including Ottawa, are now in a difficult position. The province has effectively taken away one of their primary tools for protecting kids near schools, and there's no clear replacement on offer.
Some cities are exploring other options — increased police patrols during school hours, updated signage, or physical infrastructure changes like speed humps and curb extensions. But these solutions are slower to implement and more expensive than camera enforcement.
For Ottawa families living near affected school zones, the concern is real and immediate. Until Queen's Park reconsiders its position — or Ottawa finds a workable alternative — the burden of slowing down falls back on drivers alone.
Source: Ottawa Citizen
