New provincial photo radar restrictions take effect in Alberta [Video]

Alberta’s overhaul to photo radar enforcement has officially taken effect, as Calgary’s police service prepares to apply for exemptions to problem intersections.

New regulations that took effect Tuesday prohibit photo radar on numbered provincial highways, and limit its use to school, playground and construction zones.

The “speed on green” function for intersection safety devices is also now prohibited to just red light enforcement.

The new rules reduce the number of sites where photo radar could be used by about 70 per cent — from 2,200 sites to just 650 across the province.

“This is something that has been a long time coming,” Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen told Global News.

“Albertans have wanted to know that the use of photo radar in the province was used for traffic safety and not for revenue generation for municipalities.”

However, photo radar will still be allowed in areas with a higher frequency rate for …