Ontario Premier Doug Ford is scrapping photo radar. Well, good riddance! I’m glad all the serious problems in our province have been solved, that the premier can now devote his time to trivial issues like photo radar.
There is a hate-hate relationship with photo radar in Ontario. It was first implemented by former Premier Bob Rae, and banned by his successor Mike Harris. It was then somewhat reintroduced by Kathleen Wynne, but the regulations to implement it were put in place by Ford. Wait–hold on a second? So Ford is binning photo radar after being the premier who enacted it? That doesn’t make sense because in his press conference he didn’t admit to making an error—what’s up with that? Did some ministers get hit with photo radar fines?
In the announcement, Ford said he was tired of municipalities using photo radar as a cash grab. Several municipal politicians admitted their municipalities were using photo radar to offset their tax revenue. Ford did not name names—not that I question that statement. If I were premier and making such a statement, I’d name names. But that’s why I am not a politician.
When photo radar returned to use, it was specifically for areas where there were speed enforcement issues. Like yahoo drivers speeding past schools, or in areas where the streets are a little narrow and difficult to navigate. It was meant to be a tool, and cheaper than deploying police officers to an area.
How photo radar works is that it takes a photo of the licence plate of a speeding vehicle, and sends a ticket to the owner with a hefty fine. There are no demerit points off the owner’s licence because it may not have been that person driving the car. The photo is provided so the vehicle owner knows who to thank for the hefty fine. For the record, I have never received a photo radar ticket – I’ve collected my past, deserved speeding tickets the old fashioned way – hand delivered by a courteous OPP or Toronto Police Service officer. Ford said people were being gouged by municipalities that used photo radar; that the tickets were difficult to fight, and unfair. To that I say: too bad.
Most of Ontario’s municipalities use photo radar in school zones – which I think is probably the best place to have those cameras. Speeding cars near kids is a recipe for disaster. Yet, Premier Ford said it was unfair that someone speeding two to three kilometres over the speed limit is penalized. Is it? I wonder how much over the speed limit is considered to be unfair in the premier’s view – 10 km? 15 km? The outcome of a collision between a six-year-old and a vehicle speeding 10 km or 20 km over the speed limit is still tragic – and preventable. What is the balance between speed and tragedy that is acceptable to the premier? I suggest there is right answer, but again—I am not a politician.
Many groups, including police chiefs, those pesky school board trustees Ford’s education minister is looking at eliminating, and many municipal councillors are all calling for Ford to pump the brakes on eliminating photo radar. That has fallen on deaf ears so far. Instead, Ford is going to fund traffic calming measures like more signs, flashing lights, more curbs, and even speed bumps. Given Ford’s propensity to dislike modifications to roads like bike lanes, I expect after a few people complain about the speed bumps, there will be legislation to reverse those. Don’t show Ford the local shopping mall sidewalks – he’d eliminate speed bumps instantly!
The easiest solution to all this is to not speed – it’s that simple. If you’re on the receiving end of a speeding ticket for being four kilometres over the limit – don’t go four kilometres over the limit. This isn’t rocket science!
Often, the easiest solution is the best one. Slow down.
This column was originally published in the October 8, 2025 print edition of the Morrisburg Leader.
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