SUDBURY—Islanders often make the hour-and-a-half journey pilgrimage into Sudbury for shopping, medical appointments and a host of diversions available in a larger urban centre. Starting on Friday, March 22 travelling Sudbury streets could become more expensive for the unwary heavy of foot traveller—six traffic cameras that have been in place for months have now gone live.
The City of Greater Sudbury began investigating the potential of so-called “red light” cameras back in 2021 and moved forward with the installation. The new Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) cameras operate in much the same way.
The impact could be significant, as drivers who speed when passing the radar cameras will get a nasty surprise in the mail a few weeks later when a ticket arrives with a fine based on how fast they were going. The amounts are not insignificant.
Many drivers have become accustomed to observing an imaginary safe zone of five to 10 kilometres above the posted limit. A driver going five km/h over the posted speed limit will get a $40 fine; driving 25 km/h over the limit will result in a $170 fine. If the offence occurs in a community safety zone, the fines can double.
The City of Greater Sudbury expects to pull in a whopping $1 million over the course of the year, with those funds being plowed back into road safety initiatives.
While the city won’t confirm the threshold for getting a ticket, it is noted that going even one kilometre over the limit could legally lead to fiscal pain. The message is clear—stay below the speed limit.
The images taken by ASE cameras are reviewed by Provincial Offence Officers and then tickets are issued to the owner of the vehicle regardless of who was driving. On the “bright side,” the only penalty is a fine as no demerit points will be issued and the registered owners’ driving record will not be impacted.
Currently, the cameras are located at Bellevue Avenue between Picard and Ralph Streets, on Algonquin Road between Maurice and Field Streets, on Falconbridge Road between Donnelly Drive and Church Street, on Main Street in Val Caron between Justin Street and MR 80, on Hillcrest Drive between Brian Street and Mikkola Road and on Gary Avenue between Lasalle Blvd and Madison Avenue. But the city advises the cameras are portable and will be moved to other locations in the future.
There are 40 locations across the city that have been identified through traffic data and speeding complaints as being problematic.
Vandalism aimed at the 700-pound camera stands is anticipated and has been prepared for by the camera vendors. City officials note that, given experience in other communities, the anticipated issue will be manageable.
