The City of Toronto’s installation of 50 automated speed enforcement cameras will begin issuing tickets to drivers who speed starting on July 6.
As of today, drivers who exceed the posted speed limit in 50 locations across the city will receive tickets in the mail to help curb excessive speeding. The cameras are set up in neighbourhoods which feature community safety zones, schools, and other areas the city has identified where drivers are exceeding the posted limits. Signs are posted advising motorists when they are driving through a community safety zone that has an automated camera in place. Moreover, the cameras can be relocated to different areas where city officials deem problematic for speeding.
According to the City of Toronto, more than 142,731 vehicles were speeding above the posted limit between January 27 and June 18. There is also concern about the rise of stunt driving in and around the city. In a statement, Mayor John Tory said the goal of the speed enforcement cameras is to make Toronto’s streets safer. “I’m confident the program will help slow drivers down in zones where children and older adults are likely to travel,” he said.
How the Speed Enforcement Cameras Work
If a vehicle driving through one of the monitored neighbourhoods exceeds the posted speed limit, the camera will snap a photo of it, including the licence plate, that is uploaded to a central database. Provincial offence officers review the images before a ticket is issued to the owner of that vehicle within 30 days of the offence regardless of who was driving it.
If the owner of the vehicle is convicted of speeding, they are required to pay a fine. Though no demerit points will be issued, and the car owner’s driving record will not be impacted by the fine, the costs can add up quickly.
For example, if a vehicle is caught speeding between 1 km/h and 19 km/h over the posted limit, the owner of that vehicle will be fined $5 per kilometre. The fines increase to $7.50 per kilometre if the vehicle is travelling between 20 km/h and 29 km/h, and $12 per kilometre for speeds between 30 km/h and 49 km/h above the limit. Thus, if a car is spotted driving 49 km/h over the limit, the total fine would be $718, which includes the set fine of $588, a victim surcharge of $125, and $5 for court costs.
More information on Toronto’s speed enforcement program is available at Toronto.ca/ase.
How Does a Speeding Ticket Affect Auto Insurance?
While tickets from a speed enforcement camera will not affect your insurance rates, speeding tickets issued by a police officer will and can have an impact on your auto insurance premium. One speeding ticket might not lead to a premium increase. However, accumulating many tickets, being caught racing, or having your licence suspended may lead to a spike in premiums. Even worse, you may be considered a high-risk driver, and that could lead to needing to find another insurer.
Your best bet to prevent an increase in your car insurance rate is to avoid speeding, refrain from being a distracted driver, and never drive if you are impaired by alcohol or cannabis or fatigued.
