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Municipality of Brighton to Transition Away from Automated Speed Enforcement Program by November 14
The Municipality of Brighton remains committed to enhancing public safety and protecting persons using its municipal roadways. In response to the Province of Ontario’s Bill 56 legislation, Brighton will phase out its Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) program by November 14.
At this time, the ASE camera on Elizabeth Street will remain active. Motorists are reminded that speeding infractions that are captured prior to November 14, including outstanding infractions, will remain valid. Speeding penalty orders will continue to be mailed to the registered vehicle owners.
As directed by the Ministry of Transportation, speed limit signage will be installed in the area of the schools and King Edward Park to ensure drivers are reminded of the speed limit. The Municipality continues to actively explore alternative traffic calming measures to ensure Community Safety Zones and School Zones remain safe for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.
Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) is an automated system that uses a camera and a speed measurement device to enforce speed limits, helping to improve public safety and protect vulnerable road users.
The automated system will capture and record the rate of speed the motor vehicle is travelling and will automatically issue tickets to the registered plate holders regardless of who was driving the vehicle. Demerit points will not be applied.
ASE systems are designed to complement other road safety measures and enhance public safety in community safety zones and school zones by:
- increasing speed compliance
- encourages drivers to change behavioural habits
- increasing public awareness about the critical need to slow down
The monetary penalty varies with the extent of speed over the speeding limit and is set by provincial regulation under the Highway Traffic Act, ONTARIO REGULATION 355/22, s. 6 (5) as follows:
- 1 to 19 km over the limit is $5.00 per kilometre
- 20 to 29 km over the limit is $7.50 per kilometre
- 30 to 49 km over the limit is $12.00 per kilometre
- 50 kilometres per hour or more over the maximum speed limit is $19.50 per kilometre
The Automated Speed Enforcement program aligns with the Municipality of Brighton’s strategic goal of enhancing public safety by creating safe and comfortable streets for everyone on or near Municipality of Brighton roadways.
Automated Speed Enforcement Location Map
Pay Penalty Order Request a Screening Review/Appeal
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) About Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE)
| What is Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE)? |
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ASE is a system that uses a camera and speed measurement device to enforce speed limits. ASE is a tool that can be used to complement other traffic safety initiatives such as police enforcement, road calming measures, and education campaigns. In Ontario, the ASE program was introduced into the Highway Traffic Act through the Safer School Zones Act in 2017 and is implemented specifically in municipally designated School Zones (SZs) and designated Community Safety Zones (CSZs). ASE began operation in Ontario in 2020 and is currently operating in several municipalities and regions. The fine amount for a speeding infraction issued through the ASE program is a set fine based on the excess speed the vehicle is traveling over the speed limit plus a victim surcharge fee, and a Ministry of Transportation licence plate search fee. All ASE tickets are issued to the registered owner of the vehicle. Since the registered owner of the vehicle may not actually be the driver that committed the violation, no demerit points are applied. This is unlike tickets issued by police officers for speeding infractions are based on the same fine amounts in the Highway Traffic Act (HTA), which may also include demerit points associated with the ticket, depending upon the excess speed. All images from the ASE cameras are reviewed and processed by Brighton’s designated By-law Offences Officers who confirm the charges and mail a Penalty Offence Notice, similar to a speeding ticket from a police officer to the registered owner of the vehicle. No demerit points are applied. The Owner of the vehicle is given the following options:
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| Why is the Municipality of Brighton introducing Automated Speed Enforcement at this time? |
| The Municipality of Brighton regularly tracks traffic volumes and speeds for a number of its roadways and streets. The Municipality has received expressed concerns regarding speeds in any number of areas. In the School Zone where ASE is being implemented, excessive speeds have been consistently recorded. School crossing guards have reported related traffic concerns. |
| How does Automated Speed Enforcement work? |
| The devices are set up in a selected designated School Zones (SZs) or Community Safety Zones (CSZs). Speeding vehicles are photographed and records the speed above the enforcement speed limit, the corresponding time, and the location of the offence. These images and related information are reviewed by their Municipality's designated Provincial Offences Officers and if a charge is verified, a Penalty Offence Notice (i.e. speeding ticket) is mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. The Offence Notice contains the photo of the offence vehicle and enlargement of the license plate. |
| What are the penalties for speeding with the Automated Speed Enforcement? |
In the School Zone the speed limit is 40 km/hr. The penalties for speeding over the enforcement limit are monetary, no demerit points are awarded. The monetary penalty varies with the extent of speed over the speeding limit and is set by provincial regulation under the Highway Traffic Act, ONTARIO REGULATION 355/22, s. 6 (5) as follows:
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| How fast over the speed limit is permitted before incurring a fine? |
| The enforcement speed limit may be higher than the posted speed limit. The enforcement speed limit is an administrative policy decision of the municipality and may vary in keeping with public safety objectives. The Municipality does not give public notice regarding enforcement speed limits. |
| How can a Speeding Offence fine be paid or be appealed? |
| Vehicle owners may be accustomed to paying speeding tickets through the Provincial Offences Court. However, in the Municipality of Brighton, Provincial Offences courts are not used for ASE purposes. Instead, an Administrative Penalty (AP) system is used for enforcing ASE infractions. The registered owner of the vehicle can pay the AP fine through the on-line system as referenced on the Penalty Notice ticket.
Alternatively, the vehicle owner may request the Municipality’s Screening Officer to conduct an administrative review of the Penalty Notice ticket through submitting the request through the Municipality’s web page (see Request for Review by Screening Officer) as specified on the Penalty Notice. If after an administrative review, a vehicle owner is dissatisfied with the decision of the Screening Officer, an appeal can be lodged with a Hearings Officer, who will schedule an adjudicated hearing to review the appeal based on evidence submitted by the appellant. |
| How long will the Automated Speed Enforcement program be in place? |
| A time frame for administering an ASE program has not been given a limit. It will be monitored for effectiveness. In the future, the location for the current camera system may be relocated to other School Zones or Community Safety Zones, as needed. Before establishing a new location, public notice will be given. In doing so, the Municipality may designate through a policy and by-law new areas as a Community Safety Zone. |
| Is the camera being used for speed detection and measurement given a calibration? |
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A calibration is performed after an initial installation, and at anytime a camera has been repositioned or relocated to ensure that the camera is optimized to capture valid tickets. The calibration can be completed directly through the camera user interface by running the installation calibration tool which captures vehicles in the target lanes. The calibration tool evaluates the camera's settings (e.g., road and installation parameters) to ensure it is optimized to capture valid tickets. In case of a calibration failure, the application will prompt the user to adjust the camera’s aiming, orientation and settings. After the successful completion of the installation calibration, a copy of the calibration report can be downloaded for future reference. |
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A Background to Surcharges Related to an Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) Ticket. |
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The Penalty Notice will include speed fine amounts, as well as additional fees. Commonly, the Municipality of Brighton has minor discretion regarding fines and fees related to Automated Speed Enforcement. Fines and fees are mostly prescribed by the province through the regulations under the Highway Traffic Act - O. Reg. 355/22. The descriptions below offer an explanation to the fines and fees. Fine Amounts The fine amounts are prescribed by the province through the regulations under the Highway Traffic Act - O. Reg. 355/22. Victim Fine Surcharge The Victim Fine Surcharge (VFS) is mandated by the province of Ontario. It is an additional penalty imposed and retained by the provincial government and used to help fund programs and services for victims of crime. The VFS is mandatory and applies to all fines imposed by the province, including those for municipal automated speeding tickets. Licence Plate Search Fee This is a flat fee that the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) charges for each instance that a Municipality searches and collects licence plate information used for the purposes of mailing a vehicle related offences, such as Automated Speed Enforcement. As indicated, the fee is established through regulations under the Highway Traffic Act. Bank Processing Fee and Convenience Fee The Municipality uses a sophisticated software program that processes an image recognition and data management system to assist in the processing of on-line penalty fines. The software is supplied to the Municipality through a Software as a Service (SaaS) arrangement from a company that charges these fees. The Municipality retains no portion of these fees. The banking fees reflects costs associated with credit card charges imposed by credit card companies. |