Automated speed enforcement (ASE) cameras have sparked considerable debate since their introduction in towns and cities across Canada.
Designed to curb speeding and make roads safer, these cameras have also drawn criticism, with many drivers calling them a cash grab.
The controversy has even reached political chambers, especially in Ontario. In June, Vaughan paused its ASE program after issuing more than 32,000 tickets in just three weeks. The suspension will remain in effect until September, while officials review the system.
In Toronto, a city councillor recently tabled a motion aimed at making the system “fairer,” with proposed measures like issuing warnings to first-time offenders, reviewing camera hours, and enhancing signage. While the City Council ultimately voted it down, Mayor Olivia Chow pushed through a separate proposal requiring larger, more visible signs wherever new ASE cameras are installed.
Toronto alone now has 150 ASE cameras. But not everyone is on board.
The cameras have been frequent targets of vandalism, especially the one on Parkside Drive, near High Park, which has been cut down six times since November. Police were even forced to install a surveillance camera facing the speed camera in an effort to stop the vandals. That camera alone has issued more than 67,000 tickets and brought in over $7 million in fines since 2022.
In late June, five more Toronto ASE cameras were vandalized in a single 24-hour span.
Still, new data suggests these cameras might be doing their job. A recent survey by CAA South Central Ontario found that many drivers are either slowing down or steering clear of ASE-monitored routes. A separate study by SickKids and Toronto Metropolitan University revealed that ASE cameras have led to a 45% decrease in speeding around urban school zones.
So, are ASE cameras practical safety tools or just a new form of generating revenue?
To find out what people really think, we took the question to the Narcity Canada Facebook page, asking: “What’s your honest opinion on automated speed cameras in Canada?”
Hundreds of people responded — and the range of opinions made one thing clear: the debate is far from over.
A deterrent to speeding drivers
Many respondents echoed what the data shows — ASE cameras are doing their job by making drivers more mindful of their speed.
One person commented, “Great for errant drivers. Speed kills.”
Another said people need to suck it up if they’ve been issued a ticket.
“Do the crime, pay the fine. If I get a ticket, I own it. Sure, I was speeding and knew the consequences of being caught. It’s called being an adult,” they wrote.
A third agreed, “I have no problem with them whatsoever. Don’t speed and you don’t get fined. It’s not hard to figure out.”
Someone else put it even more bluntly: “It’s an idiot tax, you speed, you get taxed, perfect.”
And perhaps the most unfiltered take of all: “If you don’t want to get a ticket, slow the f**k down.”
It’s about control
Not everyone sees ASE cameras as a step toward safer streets. For some, they represents something far more unsettling: a creeping sense of surveillance and control that feels straight out of George Orwell’s 1984.
“One step closer to places in Europe where 95% of the country is under video surveillance,” one person responded.
Another agreed: “The cameras are for surveillance, not for our protection.”
One user was blunt in their criticism: “More government overreach, great idea, guys. Each day, we lose another piece of what was once Canada.”
“I didn’t sign up for Big Brother monitoring my every movement!” another added.
They cause more harm
Some readers believe ASE cameras do more harm than good.
Many pointed out that drivers often focus on their speedometers or scanning for cameras instead of keeping a watchful eye on the road.
One person commented, “Too many distracted drivers staring at their speedometer or looking for cameras instead of where they are going.”
Another agreed, “Paying more attention to my speedometer than scanning the road and sidewalk.”
A third added, “More dangerous as we are looking down at the speedometer instead of the road.”
A cash grab
Rather than stopping drivers from speeding or keeping them under surveillance, many readers believe it’s all about the money.
One individual said, “[Speed cameras] should be illegal. They are not for safety but [a] $ grab.”
Another said, “Cash cow across the world.”
Under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, if you get caught speeding on an ASE camera, you don’t get demerit points on your licence. One user believes this suggests it’s a cash grab.
“They’re just a cash grab. People don’t lose points on their license or have any other consequences other than the cash payments, which is really what the government wants. It’s not about safety.”
Another person agreed with that sentiment, “They have no impact on a driver’s record or insurance. So, those who can afford to speed will continue to do so without any repercussions. A total cash grab for municipal governments!”
Another believes that the cameras are too harsh on drivers.
“Nope. Unless it’s set at 12 km or over. Otherwise, it’s a cash cow. It’s too easy to go 5 km over. Speed cameras should be for speeders, not a little over.”
Somebody else agreed with that, “So long as the limits for the area are set consistently with the road. Some roads seem to have an unusually low speed limit, which is counterintuitive. A camera in these places would be just a cash cow.”
Someone else chimed in, “Cash cow and hidden tax. Instead of dealing with the real problem drivers, it just sends fines out to everyone.”
While the debate rages on, it seems like ASE cameras are here to stay. So, be sure to watch your speed, as you may face hefty fines.
This article’s right-hand cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
