ASE Facts & Frequently Asked Questions

Although every municipality uses different methods and techniques to help enforce speed limits, ASE is one method that has proven to be effective in other Canadian provinces and around the world.

A Community Safety Zone is an area designated through a By-law (that is passed by council) to identify it as a road segment of higher risk or concern. Certain Highway Traffic Act fines (including speeding) are doubled in Community Safety Zones, which are mostly located close to schools and school zones. 

The use of photo radar was discontinued in 1994.

In 2019, the Province enacted provisions under the Highway Traffic Act to permit the use of Automated Speed Enforcement ("ASE") in community safety zones and school zones.  The use of ASE is permitted under O. Regulation 398/19.  

• ASE Cameras help to enforce speeds limits on our roads.
• ASE units are an important reminder to drivers to slow down in areas where children and other vulnerable road users are.
• Drivers travelling the posted speed limit are more likely able to stop in the case of a spontaneous event. Lower speed can also mean a less severe outcome.
• If you drive the posted speed limit, ASE will not affect you at all.
• Evidence shows that driver behaviour begins to change over time with a "halo" effect created. This means that drivers may begin to adhere to the speed limit in areas even where ASE is not present, resulting in safer and more peaceful communities for everyone.

While traditional enforcement will still be used, ASE is a complementary method that enables police officers to focus on other critical and time-sensitive tasks. Through ASE, incidents of speeding can be detected on an ongoing and consistent basis, ensuring that school children and other road users always feel safe, not just during traffic blitzes. Using ASE consistently also lends to altering driver behaviour for ongoing road safety.

Studies indicate that ASE systems generally reduce speeding and improve road safety. For example, the City of Toronto reported a significant reduction in speeding incidents in areas where ASE was deployed.

There is no cost to the municipality. Global Traffic Solutions provides the technology and systems required for the program to efficiently run. Revenue generated through the Program is split with the vendor.

All revenue received by the municipality will be used to improve traffic calming and road safety measures - the funds go back to the community for improvements to overall road safety and to further promote traffic calming measures. 

The municipality will use the funds (municipality portion – net fine revenue) from the fine payments to fund and invest in road safety measures and initiatives across the municipality.

The victim fine surcharge portion is submitted to the Province like any other ticket offence. The municipality retains any net fine revenue, after expenses.

In accordance with the signage requirements of O. Reg 398/19, the "Municipal Speed Camera Coming Soon" signs will be displayed for 90 days. 

Following the 90 days, the "Municipal Speed Camera In Use" signs will be posted in the designated Community Safety Zone.

Provincial legislation permits municipalities to create by-laws that permit the use of ASE units exclusively in school zones and community safety zones.

There will be no disclosure with respect to camera active times under the Program. Observing posted speed limits 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, will ensure that drivers are not issued a ticket under the ASE Program.

The registered owner of the motor vehicle is liable for the speeding ticket. Owners disputing the alleged contravention have the following options available to them:

• Pay the Penalty Notice
• Request a review by a Screening Officer
• Request a review by a Hearing Officer

Convicted owners will not be subject to demerit points. 

Registered owners of vehicles that are caught by ASE cameras travelling in excess of the posted speed limit will receive a Penalty (Offence) Notice in the mail.

A photograph of the vehicle that was speeding will be on the offence notice along with the enlargement of the vehicle's license plate.

The location of where and when the speeding offence occurred, as well as the speed of the vehicle and the posted speed limit will also be on the ticket. 

• An online payment portal
• In person by cash, cheque (made payable to the municipality) or debit
• By mail to the municipality 

First and foremost, ASE is regulated through O. Reg 398/19 so there are several rules and processes our municipality has to follow in deploying ASE. One of these rules is for ASE locations – ASE can only be deployed in designated Community Safety Zones and School Zones. Longitudinal data, motor vehicle collisions, historic safety concerns, and communal complaints are also considered in the internal ASE site selection.

Once cameras are rotated, they undergo a testing period where images are taken to ensure the camera is placed in an appropriate location and properly calibrated. Once the testing period is over, the "Coming Soon" sign will be replaced with an "In Use" sign to indicate that the cameras are live. 

No, we do not disclose threshold speeds. Speed limits are not guidelines – they are the law.

Driving at, or below, the posted limit will ensure a ticket is not issued.

No, demerit points are not issued. A fine is sent to the registered owner of the vehicle, regardless of who may be driving the car. 

Yes, there will be clear signage ahead of the ASE units. Coming Soon signs will displayed for a period of 90 days prior to an ASE unit being operational. Once the cameras are installed and working, an In Use sign will replace it to indicate that charges are now being issued. 

All charges are first reviewed by a Provincial Offences Officer. If warranted, an Offence Notice (fine), with a copy of the captured image, is sent to the registered owner of the vehicle within 30 days, with no demerit points issued.

Administrative Penalties issued under an ASE Program are owner-liability in accordance with section 5 of O. Regulation 355/22.

ASE systems do not capture images of drivers or passengers.  They are similar to a parking ticket where the owner liability is in effect.  This results in the registered plate holder receiving the ticket.

If you receive a Penalty Order, then you are the registered owner of the vehicle on file with the Ministry of Transportation.  It does not matter if you were driving the car or not, as you are the owner registered on file with the Ministry of Transportation.

The law with regard to an ASE system requires that there be a certificate of accuracy for the device within 12 months of the date of the offence.  In accordance with O. Regulation 398/19, the accuracy of the speed measurement device is verified every 12 months.  To challenge the accuracy of the speed measurement device, you would need to have evidence to the contrary to present during your appeal to a Screening or Hearing Officer

Certificates of Accuracy are available on our website for anyone to view.  Please visit the  Automated Speed Enforcement webpage to view the Certificates.

The ASE system marks the motor vehicle that was speeding and for which it recorded the data and captured the picture. That mark is authorized by law and is obvious in the image. If it was a different vehicle that was exceeding the speed limit, your vehicle would not be marked by the system.

Research has recently been undertaken by CAA South Central that provides new findings that support that ASE is changing driving behaviour.

News Article (Barrie Today) - Speed Cameras Changing Driver Behaviour: CAA Study

Additionally, research undertaken by Sick Kids supports that enforcement through ASE significantly reduces speeding.

News Article (Sick Kids) - Automated Speed Enforcement Significantly Reduces Speeding in Toronto School Zones