Photo Radar Returning to Select Calgary Intersections

Photo radar is officially making a comeback in Calgary—at least in a few high-risk spots.

The Calgary Police Service (CPS) has received provincial approval to reinstate automated traffic enforcement (ATE) at two intersections that have seen serious collisions and extreme speeding.

Since April 1, photo radar had been restricted to schools, playgrounds, and construction zones. However, police could apply for exemptions to bring it back in areas considered dangerous. CPS submitted a case, and starting Friday, October 3, 2025, Intersection Safety Devices (ISD) for both red-light and speed enforcement will return to:

• 16th Avenue at 68th Street NE (eastbound and westbound)

• Highway 1A at 12th Mile Coulee Road NW (eastbound and westbound)

The stats back up the decision: last year, 37 crashes were reported at 16th Avenue and 68th Street NE, with recorded speeds between 111 km/h and 192 km/h in a 70 zone. Meanwhile, Highway 1A and 12th Mile Coulee Road NW had 20 collisions in 2024, with some drivers clocked at 121 km/h to 162 km/h in a 90 zone.

Deputy Chief Cliff O’Brien said in a release that these intersections have proven to be dangerous, and bringing back photo radar will “make a positive difference for the safety of the community.”

This marks a shift from December 2024, when province-wide restrictions pulled ATE from highways and limited red-light cameras on provincial roads. CPS says automated enforcement has always been a key part of traffic safety, especially since speed is one of the biggest factors in how severe collisions can be.