Some Saskatchewan speed cameras temporarily inactive

SGI says some photo speed enforcement cameras in the province may be temporarily inactive as it switches vendors. Stacey Hein reports.

Saskatchewan drivers may get a temporary break from photo speed enforcement cameras as SGI transitions to a new vendor.

The Crown corporation says equipment may be inactive at some points during the changeover.

The previous vendor, Verra Mobility Systems, had provided, installed and maintained the cameras and processed photo enforcement tickets since 2020. SGI says the company made a business decision to end its agreement early at the end of May.

CTV News reached out to Verra Mobility Systems for comment but did not hear back by publication.

For some drivers, having speed cameras offline is a bit of a relief.

“I live right by here, so I drive this way, and knowing that they’re inactive is like, ‘Oh, thank God,” Cassandra Stinn said near a speed camera site on 33rd Street East.

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Stinn says the fines can be costly.

“Any time I get one of those tickets, I’m just thinking, how does a family that earns even a little bit less, how are they making this work when they get one of these tickets,” she said.

Some drivers say the cameras can help keep the roads safe.

“The cameras are very beneficial. I don’t think that it’s a cash grab, it’s for safety reasons,” Noella Severight said.

“I do agree with them in school zones. I’m really big on being safe around kids. Highways, maybe not as much. I mean, you’re doing a little bit over and you’re paying how much,” Marrisa Williams said.

According to the SGI website, the program normally uses nine cameras. One rotates between locations on Saskatoon’s Circle Drive, another rotates on Regina’s Ring Road, while others are used in some school zones and at a couple of locations on Saskatchewan highways.

Until the cameras are back online, the Saskatoon Police Service says, “members of the traffic unit will be adding these areas to their enforcement rotation as time permits.”

The service adds that officers won’t necessarily spend more time enforcing speed limits in areas normally covered by speed cameras.

The Regina Police Service told CTV News its work will continue as usual.

SGI says when the program is fully operational, it issues about $1.3 million in speeding fines each month.