At its meeting on Oct. 21, 2024, Orillia Council took a significant step towards enhancing road safety by approving the creation of an Automated Speed Enforcement Program. The City will partner with the Town of Newmarket to implement the program, set to begin in 2025.
“Speeding is a concern we hear about regularly from residents, and the Automated Speed Enforcement Program is a tangible solution we can put in place to address it,” said Mayor Don McIsaac. “By targeting Community Safety Zones and School Zones, we’re taking proactive steps to protect our community and create safer streets for everyone.”
Automated speed enforcement programs use cameras and speed measurement devices to detect and record vehicles exceeding the speed limit, particularly in high-risk areas like School Zones and Community Safety Zones. Fines are issued to the registered vehicle owner, with the primary goal of reducing speeding and improving road safety for everyone, without affecting driver demerit points.
After the City executes the agreement for the program, the next steps will involve developing the necessary by-laws, policies, and agreements to support its installation. These by-laws and policies will outline important details such as speed limits in targeted zones, fine structures, and camera locations, and will be brought back to Council for approval before the program is launched. The installation of cameras is expected to be complete by fall of 2025.
“Speeding is a concern in Orillia’s Community Safety Zones and School Zones, with many vehicles exceeding the posted limits, sometimes by large margins,” said Steven Murphy, Transportation Engineer. “Ontario municipalities that have adopted automated speed enforcement programs have reported significant improvements in speed compliance up to 60%”.
Following the agreement’s execution, Orillia will use Newmarket’s existing expertise and procurement framework to streamline the implementation process and reduce costs. The City will integrate with Newmarket’s established Administrative Monetary Penalty System, ensuring efficient processing of fines and seamless administration of the program.
The total capital budget allocated for the program is $285,000, covering the initial costs for leasing cameras, installation, public awareness campaigns, and staffing support. Revenue generated from fines through the program are recommended to be reinvested into road safety initiatives and infrastructure improvements across Orillia.
The City of Orillia will provide further updates, including specific information on speed limits, fine structures, and the timeline for implementing the program, as more details become available.
For more information, and to sign up to receive updates regarding the implementation of the Automated Speed Enforcement Program, visit orillia.ca/TrafficSafety.
