Protective Services

Photo Enforcement

The Town of Edson is committed to public safety. One of the areas of focus is traffic safety. Speed can be a dangerous thing, and through the use of photo enforcement, our goal is to reduce speeding in areas of concern.

Edson is unique as we have residential, commercial and industrial zones along the highway with no service roads. As such, it's extremely important to monitor and enforce speeds on the highway, as well as in school zones and other problem areas.

Questions on the program can be directed to our Protective Services Department at 780-723-3178.

Current Photo Enforcement Schedule/Locations

Photo Enforcement Locations Map

Visit the full map site

2018 Statistics

The Town of Edson monitors the photo enforcement program throughout the year. One thing monitored is the number of tickets issued to residents of Edson vs non-residents. In 2018 the percentage split was 15% residents and 85% non-residents, up slightly from 2017.

Revenue from the photo enforcement program saw a significant decline in 2017, but climbed slightly in 2018 to just over $600,000. This is the Town's share of the ticket revenue after the Provincial and contractor share is removed.

This chart shows the locations where the highest number of violations were occuring on a monthly basis in 2018. Despite speed indicator signs being placed at these locations during certain months, the three top violation locations continues to be:

the Highway 16 overpass on the east end of Edson,
4th Avenue, westbound near 59th Street,
and 48th Street, southbound near the Parkland/Pinegrove Schools

For more specific location information, please see the map above.

Here you can see the average number of photo enforcement tickets issued per hour throughout 2018. Summer generally sees a higher number based on the increase in traffic on the highways.

Speed indicator signs are placed at key locations throughout the Town of Edson. While these don't generate tickets, it provides the driver with a flashing warning light and records speed data at each location.

As you can see in this chart for 2018, there is a disturbing number of extreme speed violations at each of these locations. Some as high as 141 km/h in a 50 km/h zone.

These numbers help us set future photo enforcement sites, as well as inform the RCMP on key locations for patrols and enforcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Photo Enforcement

Photo enforcement is used in areas that have been deemed as high collision locations, high speed corridors, school and playground zones, constructions zones, or others based on citizen concerns. All sites are selected pursuant to the guidelines set out by the Province of Alberta.

Photo enforcement is also used to enforce speeding violations in locations where it is unsafe for police officers to conduct manual enforcement, as well as in areas where the safety of pedestrians or other drivers might be compromised by a manned traffic stop.

There are a number of considerations when selecting these enforcement locations.

High Risk Locations - Where the safety of citizens or police officers would be a risk through conventional enforcement methods
High Frequency Locations - Where motorists are ignoring or breaking traffic laws on an on-going basis
High Collision Locations - Where there is a greater frequency of property damage, injury or fatal collisions
High Pedestrian Volume Locations - Where there is a high volume of pedestrian traffic

Every year the selected locations are audited by the province to ensure guidelines are being met and proper signage is in place.

Where can I pay for the ticket?

Tickets can be paid through the Provincial Court or by following the directions on the notice.

I don’t agree with my ticket. Who can I contact to discuss?

Once a ticket is issued to the registered owner it becomes a Provincial Court matter. Options are listed on the notice/ticket.

Where do the photo enforcement revenues go?

Edson’s photo enforcement revenues are split three ways with approximately 30% going to the Town, 36% to the Province, and about 34% to the operator. Edson’s portion of the revenue goes 100% back into the Town’s policing budget, offsetting those costs which would normally come from general tax revenues. A portion of the Provincial funds go back into programs such as Victim Services. It’s also important to note that the operator is financially responsible for all equipment, manpower, servicing, etc.