Toronto’s Speed Camera Threshold Revealed Amid Controversy

The threshold for receiving a ticket from Toronto’s automated speed camera program has been clarified, revealing that drivers must exceed the posted speed limit by at least 11 km/h to face penalties. This information comes at a time of heightened scrutiny regarding the effectiveness and fairness of speed enforcement measures in Ontario. Premier Doug Ford recently expressed his intention to outlaw these cameras, labeling them as a mere “cash grab” and suggesting that drivers could be ticketed for being only slightly above the limit.

According to a source familiar with the ticketing process, while the law permits municipalities to issue tickets for exceeding the limit by as little as one kilometre per hour, this has not been the standard practice in larger urban areas. The source confirmed that no tickets are issued for speeds under 11 km/h above the limit in Toronto, as well as in other major municipalities in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

In response to Ford’s plans, over 20 Ontario mayors urged the premier to reconsider a total ban on speed cameras. They argue that such a move would undermine years of progress in road safety. “A total ban would most critically endanger lives,” the mayors stated in their appeal.

The automated speed enforcement legislation allows for the use of speed cameras in community or school safety zones, yet many municipalities have been hesitant to disclose their specific thresholds for fear that drivers will aim to exceed the limit by that exact amount. As municipalities grapple with these issues, some officials are now feeling pressured to reveal their thresholds to combat claims of unfair targeting.

Toronto City Councillor Josh Matlow emphasized the importance of demonstrating that the speed enforcement tools are aimed at excessively speeding drivers. He noted that he had been informed that drivers exceeding the limit by less than 10 km/h would not receive fines. In practice, it appears there is a consistent threshold across various zones, with 30, 40, and 50 km/h zones all adhering to the 11 km/h buffer.

In nearby Brampton, Mayor Patrick Brown confirmed that the city’s speed cameras also operate under the same threshold. Brown expressed hope for a constructive dialogue with Ford, citing local police data that demonstrates the effectiveness of speed enforcement in reducing speeding.

Despite the pushback against Ford’s proposals, the city of Toronto has not officially confirmed the 11 km/h threshold, though spokesperson Kate Lear mentioned that the automated speed enforcement program has maintained the same standards since its inception in 2020. The average speed over the limit for tickets issued in Toronto during 2024 was reported to be 15 km/h.

The growing conversation around speed enforcement comes as Ford announced plans to introduce legislation to ban speed cameras this fall, proposing instead to invest in alternative traffic calming measures such as speed bumps and roundabouts. “If you really want to slow people down, speed cameras do not slow people down,” Ford stated.

Research from The Hospital for Sick Children indicates that automated speed cameras can reduce aggressive driving and speeding by nearly half. Since the legislation allowing these cameras was enacted in 2019, over 700 cameras have been installed across 40 municipalities in Ontario, highlighting their widespread implementation.

While discussions about the thresholds continue, it remains clear that municipalities are working to ensure road safety while navigating the political landscape surrounding speed enforcement. The conversation is expected to evolve as local officials consider how best to balance public safety with the ongoing legislative changes proposed by the provincial government.