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Position Statement: Supporting Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) in Ontario

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The Canadian Coalition for the Global Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030, led by Parachute and the Canadian Association of Road Safety Professionals (CARSP), represents a unified national effort to reduce road traffic deaths and serious injuries by 50 per cent by 2030, a goal set by member countries within the United Nations, including Canada. This coalition is made up of 11 leading non-government organizations (NGOs) and research partners, including 880 Cities, Vélo Canada Bikes, ParticipACTION, Toronto Metropolitan University, Climate Action Partnership, and Piétons Québec.

Central to achieving this goal is effective speed management. Excessive speed is a proven contributor to both the frequency and severity of traffic collisions. In 2021 alone, speeding was a factor in nearly one-quarter (24.7 per cent) of fatal crashes in Canada, according to the Traffic Injury Research Foundation. These are preventable tragedies—and we must act decisively.

Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) complements safe design by reinforcing speed limits and encouraging appropriate driver behavior. Furthermore, because ASE is often in Safety Zones, including those around schools, it helps to protect all road users, especially the most vulnerable.

Across Canada, ASE has delivered measurable results:

  • Québec: ASE reduced average speeds by 13.3 km/h and cut collisions by 15–42 per cent at active ASE sites.
  • Saskatchewan: Pilot programs led to a drop in average speeds by 17.7 km/h, a reduction in speed-related casualty collisions by 63 per cent, and a reduction in injuries by 51 per cent.
  • Toronto: This summer, Toronto Metropolitan University and The Hospital for Sick Children released research that found ASE cameras reduced speeding in school zones by 45 per cent.

Beyond its safety benefits, ASE improves the efficiency of law enforcement by allowing police to focus on high-priority public safety issues such as impaired driving, violent crime, and community engagement.

To ensure public confidence and long-term success, the ASE program should be designed with transparency and community benefit at its core. The goal should be to make the program revenue neutral—where the primary purpose is safety, not profit. In many cities and provinces, any surplus funds generated through enforcement are already reinvested directly into road safety initiatives, such as infrastructure improvements, school zone protections, and public education campaigns. Ontario can strengthen its program by ensuring the same approach is consistently applied. Clear signage and proactive community engagement are essential to help drivers understand the purpose of ASE and build trust in its implementation. 

The evidence is clear: ASE works. It protects lives, promotes fairness, and supports broader public safety goals. The Canadian Coalition for the Global Decade of Action on Road Safety strongly urges the Government of Ontario to consider its decision to remove this tool, and to expand and refine ASE programs in collaboration with municipalities and road safety experts. We call for a system that is transparent, equitable, and focused on protecting all Ontarians - especially children, seniors, and active transportation users.

Lives are at risk, and every step toward safer streets matters. Let’s move forward thoughtfully and with shared commitment.