Ottawa Speed Cameras Caught Over 27,000 Drivers in August

UPDATE: Ottawa’s photo radar cameras have recorded a staggering 27,781 speeding tickets in August alone as Ontario moves to ban these enforcement tools. The increased use of automated speed enforcement has raised significant concerns among officials and drivers alike, with the provincial government aiming to legislate against them.

The latest statistics from the City of Ottawa reveal a rise in speeding violations, with August figures surpassing 26,837 tickets issued in July and 25,299 tickets in June. The city has issued a total of 218,200 tickets through the automated speed enforcement program for the first nine months of 2025, down from 261,556 tickets during the same period in 2024.

The most active photo radar camera was located on Walkley Road, catching 3,335 speeders. Other hotspots included King Edward Avenue, with 3,297 tickets, and First Avenue in the Glebe, which recorded 2,089 violations.

This surge in enforcement comes just two weeks after Premier Doug Ford announced plans to introduce legislation this fall to ban photo radar cameras, labeling them a “municipal cash grab.” The proposed law would require municipalities to dismantle these cameras and put up large warning signs by mid-November, with permanent flashing-light signage mandated by fall 2026.

In response to growing public safety concerns, Coun. Tim Tierney has introduced a motion at Ottawa City Council urging the province to allow automated speed enforcement in school zones. The council is set to vote on this motion on October 22, 2025. Notably, 17,302 tickets issued in August were for speeding in school zones, highlighting the critical role of these cameras in protecting children.

Ottawa currently operates 60 photo radar cameras in various zones, with plans for 24 additional cameras this fall. However, an order issued on October 3 has halted the installation of new poles or cameras, leaving 13 cameras already installed but not yet activated.

Since the program’s inception in July 2020, Ottawa’s photo radar cameras have issued a total of 1,081,836 speeding tickets. The revenue generated from the program—totaling $60 million from 2020 to 2024 and an additional $20 million from January to August 2025—has been used to fund road safety initiatives.

As discussions continue, the outcome of the planned ban and the council vote will significantly impact road safety measures across Ottawa. With more than 27,000 drivers caught speeding just last month, the urgency for effective traffic enforcement remains high.

Stay tuned for further updates as this situation develops. Ottawa residents and commuters are urged to remain vigilant as changes could affect road safety measures in the coming months.