Speeding on Ottawa’s Streets is Back!
Following the (politically charged) decision to remove Ontario’s speed cameras in school safety zones, speeding frequency was immediately noted. Any casual observer will have noticed an uptick in aggressive driving along our own stretch of Greenbank Rd.
From Ottawa’s Traffic Services:
Based on data from the original pilot cameras, driver compliance with posted speed limits showed sustained and continuous improvement year over year. From 16 per cent before the cameras were installed to 87 per cent after four years. High-end speeding was also greatly reduced, dropping from 14 per cent before installation to only 0.3 per cent after four years.
Preliminary findings indicate that the removal of Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) has significantly affected speed limit compliance and increased high-end speeding at former sites, suggesting a shift in driver behaviour as shown in the table below.
Change in driver behaviour following ASE removals From Speed Camera Removal Date
Compliance Posted Speed Limit
Instances of
High End Speeding
Prior to removal
87 per cent
0.3 per cent
One week post removal*
62 per cent
2.2 per cent
Three weeks post removal
51 per cent
3.3 per cent
Eight weeks post removal
44 per cent
3.9 per cent
12 weeks post removal
41 per cent
4.5 per cent
Findings do not yet reflect the impact of the new signage required under Bill 56, which continues to be installed at affected locations. Staff will continue monthly monitoring of speed data at the eight original ASE pilot sites. Post-removal data collection is also planned for all former ASE locations in Spring/Summer 2026 once signage installation is complete.
Let’s all do our part and avoid the temptation of speeding in areas where we know the ASE cameras were removed, as well as slowing down in our own neighbourhood!
Rob Welch
President, BCA
