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 Intersection Safety Devices
Intersection Safety Devices refer to un-manned photo enforcement units that are capable of enforcing speed and red light violations. ISDs are another tool to help make our roads safer.
Fixed ISD housings and roadway sensors have been installed at:
- Garry Drive and University Drive West
- 3 Avenue and 13 Street South
- 5 Avenue and Mayor Magrath Drive South
The fine for running a red light is $287. Fines for speeding through an intersection vary depending on the speed. One to 15 km/h over the speed limit ranges from $57 to $89; 16-30 km/h over $103-$177; 31-50 km/h over $187-$351 and over 50 km/h requires a mandatory court appearance and fines will be at the discretion of the court. There are no demerit points for red light or speeding violations with ISD-issued tickets.
Speed is measured during all light cycles – red, amber and green – and violation tickets will be issued accordingly. However, motorists who speed and run a red light at an ISD-monitored intersection will not be doubled ticketed. Only a red light violation will be issued in those circumstances.
At ISD-controlled intersections sensors that measure the position of a vehicle are embedded under the pavement in the driving lanes and a camera is housed atop a special pole fixed to the ground.
All vehicles passing through ISD-controlled intersections will be monitored, however only those that are found to be speeding or enter the intersection on a red light will be photographed.
On all light cycles – green, amber and red – vehicles passing through the intersection trigger the sensors and the speed of a vehicle is calculated using a time over distance formula. On a red light cycle, the system is activated when a vehicle triggers the sensors by entering the intersection AFTER the light has turned red.
Here is an animation of how it works.
ISD locations were selected according criteria outlined in provincial legislation and an analysis of local collision data.
ISDs are approved for monitoring high-risk locations where the safety of citizens or police would be at risk through conventional methods, high frequency locations where motorists ignore or break traffic laws on an ongoing basis, high collision locations and those with a high volume of pedestrian traffic.
The ISD program is a partnership between the City of Lethbridge and Lethbridge Regional Police Service. The City of Lethbridge is responsible for installation of equipment, calibration and movement of the camera, while the Police Service is responsible for analysis, deployment and ticketing.
The cost of the ISD program, including hardware, software, infrastructure and labour charges associated to moving the camera between intersections totals $276,984 in the first year. Funds to cover the expenses will come from revenue generated by the Photo Radar program.
Projected revenue in the first year, based on issuing five speeding tickets per day at $100 each as well as one red light ticket per day at $250 (excluding the provincial surcharge) totals $273,750.
All revenue from the ISD program goes into City of Lethbridge coffers.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. Why are red light cameras now called Intersection Safety Devices (ISD)?
A. The device is now capable of enforcing speed and red light violations.
Q. Why was the decision made to install Intersection Safety Devices?
A. In 2004 the Alberta government commissioned the McDermid Report to study traffic safety issues. The report recommended police services should utilize technology to enforce traffic laws and help reduce collisions. The City of Lethbridge and Police Service subsequently worked in partnership to collect collision data and identify high collision intersections. Three sites were selected for ISDs in order to reduce speeding and red-light running and in turn, reduce both the frequency and severity of collisions.
Q. How much is a ticket?
A. The fine for running a red light is $287. Fines for speeding through an intersection vary depending on the speed. One to 15 km/h over the speed limit ranges from $57 to $89; 16-30 km/h over $103-$177; 31-50 km/h over $187-$351 and over 50 km/h requires a mandatory court appearance and fines will be at the discretion of the court. There are no demerit points for red light or speeding violations for ISD-issued tickets.
Q. Will I get demerit points if I receive an ISD ticket?
A. No. There are no demerit points issued for ISD tickets or Photo Radar tickets.
Q. If a motorist is speeding and they run the red light, will they receive a speeding ticket as well as a red light ticket?
A. No. Only the red light ticket will be issued in this case.
Q. Are all vehicles passing though an ISD-controlled intersection photographed?
A. No. All vehicles will be monitored, however only those that are found to be speeding or enter the intersection after the light has turned red will be photographed.
Q. What if I’m already in the intersection waiting to make a left hand turn and the light turns red. Will I get a ticket?
A. No. The vehicle must enter the intersection AFTER the light has turned red. Drivers who are already in the intersection or enter on a yellow will not be photographed.
Q. Does someone review the photographs before motorists are issued a ticket?
A. Yes. Trained personnel review every picture to verify information and ensure the vehicle is in violation. Tickets are mailed to the registered owner of a vehicle when it is clear the vehicle was speeding or ran the red light.
Q. What about winter time when the roads are slippery? If I slide through the intersection will I get a ticket?
A. All situations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, however drivers are required under the Traffic Safety Act to adjust their speed according to the road conditions.
Q. Will I get a ticket if a stop for a red light, but cross the stop line and trigger the first sensor?
A. No. Vehicles that stop just over the stop line will not be ticketed.
Q. Where does the revenue from this new program go?
A. All revenue generated from ISDs goes into City of Lethbridge coffers. The Police Service does not receive this revenue.
Q. Is this technology proven and effective?
A. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (2006) issued a report discussing significant collision and speed reductions associated with the use of speed cameras on high-risk roads in different countries. The Centre for Transportation Safety (2005) also conducted a review of speed camera effectiveness and policy and concluded that speed cameras do reduce speeding, collision severity and collision risk. Potential benefits with intersection safety technology also include a deterrent effect when used with proper signage; a reduction in collision rates; and, an overall reduction in the speed of vehicles exceeding the speed limits.
Q. Will rear-end collisions at ISD-controlled intersections increase?
A. There are some studies that have suggested this possibility. Rear end collisions typically cause property damage. However, right angle collisions that result when a vehicle runs a red light are more prone to cause death or serious injury. Motorists who obey the rules of the road should never have to slam on their brakes. If you are unable to stop for a red light or avoid a collision if the vehicle in front of you stops suddenly you are likely following too close, driving too fast, not driving according to the road conditions or not paying attention. Driving safely is a responsibility of all motorists.
Q. How do I know that ISDs will be used fairly?
A. Automated Enforcement Technology Guidelines were established in consultation with police agencies to ensure that they will be used according to specific criteria. These guidelines were recently revised to reflect the use of all automated enforcement technology. The guidelines were developed by Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security in consultation with Alberta Justice and Attorney General, Alberta Transportation and police services in Alberta.
For more information visit: https://www.solgps.alberta.ca/programs_and_services/public_security/law_enforcement_oversight/Publications/Automated%20Traffic%20Enforcement%20Guidelines%20-%202008.pdf
Q. What are my options if I receive an ISD ticket?
A. If you have received an ISD violation ticket, as the registered owner of the licence plate you will receive a Notice of Offence in the mail from the Lethbridge Regional Police Service which includes images of the violation.
You then have three options:
- Payments must be made in person at any Registry Office or Provincial Court. You may also pay this ticket using the Internet by following the instructions on the website at www.finepayment.gov.ab.ca. Service fees will apply at a Registry Office or if you use the website. If you wish to mail your payment, send it to:
Alberta Provincial Court
320 – 4 Street South
Lethbridge Alberta, T1J 1Z8
Include your ticket with your payment and write the ticket number on the back of your cheque or money order. Do not send cash through the mail. Cheques or money orders, in Canadian funds, must be made payable to: Minister of Finance. You can also pay by credit card.
- Plead not guilty by mailing the notice to the address indicated above and by signing the following statement:
I wish to Plead Not Guilty to the offence I have been charged with and Will Appear at the Trial Date set for me. I understand that I will be advised of this trial date by ordinary mail which will be sent to address on the face of this offence notice unless I indicate a different address below. I understand that should I fail to appear for my trial I may be convicted in my absence without a hearing and I will be responsible for payment of any penalty plus late payment charges that may become applicable.
- Appear Before a Justice at the appearance address and date indicated on the reverse. You may plead guilty or not guilty to the offence charged. If you plead guilty, you may make submissions as to penalty and the Justice may grant time to pay. If you plead not guilty, a trial date will be set.
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