Speeding jumped across Brampton in the week after Ontario ended automated speed camera ticketing. New data shared by a local councillor shows a sharp rise in dangerous driving as cameras stopped issuing fines.
Ontario ordered all municipalities to end enforcement through automated speed cameras by November 14. The provincial government labelled the ticketing system a cash grab and passed legislation to block its use for penalties. Although the cameras stopped issuing fines, they continued to capture vehicle speeds. Brampton downloaded the data to assess what happened next.
Coun. Rowena Santos told CP24 that 71,258 speeding incidents were recorded between November 16 and November 22 in areas covered by the cameras. Drivers triggered 31,581 incidents the previous week when ticketing was still active. The number more than doubled once fines ended.
Santos said the figures show automated enforcement helped keep drivers in check. She warned that neighbourhoods and school zones face added risk with the loss of enforcement tools. She said school areas are vulnerable because they lack traffic calming measures that slow vehicles and protect students.
The province’s directive prevented 185 cameras across Brampton from issuing tickets. The city kept access to the speed data, which gave a clear picture of how driver behaviour shifted once penalties were removed.
Municipal officials expect the debate over road safety and enforcement to continue. Local leaders argue they need more tools to control speeds in residential areas. The province maintains that municipalities should rely on other traffic measures instead of automated ticketing.
