Automated Traffic Enforcement

Photo radar is enforcement that captures a photograph of a speeding vehicle. 

As a vehicle enters the radar beam it is detected and the speed is calculated. When the end of the vehicle is detected and if that vehicle’s speed exceeds the posted speed limit for the particular location, the system sets off an audible alarm and takes a photo. During low light periods, a flash is incorporated to enhance the image.

When in use, a photo radar vehicle it usually manned by a Community Peace Officer who sets up and tests the equipment. The officer also reviews every picture to verify that a traffic violation has occurred. Once a violation is verified, a ticket is issued and mailed to the vehicle's registered owner. 

There are three (3) photo radar vehicles used in the City of Lethbridge.  

Intersection Safety Devices are cameras that photograph vehicles entering intersections during all phases of the traffic signals.

These cameras can take a photo with more then one vehicle in the picture; each photo taken is lane specific.

Once a traffic violation is detected, a ticket is issued and mailed to the vehicle's registered owner. 

There are two (2) intersection safety devices used in the City of Lethbridge. 

Revenues generated by the Traffic Safety Act are collected by the Province of Alberta and held by the City of Lethbridge. In accordance with City of Lethbridge Council policy, these funds are used to pay for the ATE program itself, as well as additional traffic safety initiatives identified by the Lethbridge Police Service and the City of Lethbridge Transportation Department.

There are no demerit points associated to any ATE tickets if you plead guilty, as they are issued to the registered owner of the vehicle and not a specific person as the driver.

Your driving record is not affected by ATE tickets. 

Once a ticket is issued to the registered owner it becomes a Provincial Court matter. Options are listed on the violation ticket portion of the document as to how you may address or contest the offence notice/ticket. 

No. Provincial legislation requires the offence notice to be issued to the registered owner of the licence plate on the violating vehicle. The registered owner is therefore the person summoned and is responsible for responding to the offence notice by the date noted on the violation ticket. 

Licence plates are attached to a vehicle's registered owner, not the vehicle. As such, the license plate should be removed prior to selling a vehicle.

Once a ticket is issued to the registered owner it becomes a Provincial Court matter. Options are listed on the violation ticket portion of the document as to how you may address or contest the offence notice/ticket.

If your vehicle or license plate has been stolen and you received a ticket during the time it was stolen, please contact the Traffic Response Unit.  Please have the ticket number and police file number ready.

Braking distances increase in winter road conditions. This increases the  chances of running red lights and being involved in a crash associated with following too closely. When roads are wet, snowy or icy, the distance required to come to a full stop increases even more. Drivers need to take this into consideration during winter months. We see an increase of red-light running tickets when weather conditions affect road conditions, which is an indication that drivers need to slow down and leave extra distance between other vehicles and intersections to account for increased braking time.

Further, every image is reviewed by a Peace Officer prior to issuance to verify that a violation has occurred. 

Once a ticket is issued to the registered owner it becomes a Provincial Court matter. Options are listed on the violation ticket portion of the document as to how you may address or contest the offence notice/ticket. 

Contact the Traffic Section with the ticket number and details. The ticket will be reviewed and you will be contacted by a member of the Traffic Response Unit advising of the review decision.