Things to know about Barrie’s photo radar program

An Automated Speed Enforcement camera in Barrie, Ont. (CTV News/Steve Mansbridge)

The City of Barrie’s automated speed enforcement cameras are currently located in two community safety zones, which requires the flashing lights to warn of the 40 kilometre per hour zone to be covered.

Late last month, the photo radar cameras were positioned southbound on Mapleton Avenue near St. Joan of Arc Catholic High School and southbound on Veteran’s Drive near Trillium Woods Elementary School. The City’s website states the cameras will be relocated sometime in late April.

Motorists should be aware that the reduced speed limit of 40 km/h is in effect until June 30 in these areas from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays despite the flashing lights being covered.

"When cameras are in use in certain areas, there may be a sign indicating how the speed limit can differ depending on the time of year, the day, and time of day," the City stated, adding the speed limit signage “temporarily replaces the existing flashing lights - which must be covered when cameras are active.”

“The Government of Ontario doesn’t permit speed limits that vary and flashing lights to be posted at the same time,” the City noted.

Once the speed cameras are moved to another location within the city, the flashing lights will be back in activation.

The photo radar cameras do not take video, they capture snap shots of licence plates of vehicles exceeding the threshold speed, which is then reviewed by a provincial offences officer.

Motorists caught on camera speeding in these areas will receive a ticket in the mail, usually within 30 days of the offence. The penalty is a fine based on how much the driver was exceeding the speed limit. Tickets issued by the program do not result in demerit points.

Fines double in community safety zones, even if the violation occurred outside school hours. The cameras are programmable to the speed zone at certain times of the day.

Signage must be installed to alert motorists of the speed enforcement cameras 90 days before they are activated and while operational.