Fewer drivers speeding past photo radar cameras in Saskatoon

Watch above: The number of people speeding on major provincial routes seems to be decreasing thanks to the addition of photo radar in Saskatchewan. Joel Senick asks the experts whether or not collision numbers will follow suit.

SASKATOON – Saskatoon drivers are slowing down in photo radar zones, according to statistics released by Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) Tuesday. According to the agency, the cameras caught 40 per cent fewer speeders in February compared to January.

“Overall at these photo speed enforcement locations, less than one per cent of drivers are speeding so that’s definitely encouraging to see,” said Kelley Brinkworth, SGI’s manager of media relations.

In February, cameras caught an average of 83 speeders per day on Circle Drive, down from 121 in January. In school zones, the program caught five violators per day, compared to 12 during the previous month.

“I would say we’re probably about on par with where we expected to be, we do think that the numbers will go down even further when we look at numbers for March,” she added.

READ MORE: Grace period over for speeders in Sask. photo radar zones

Transportation expert Carl Kuhnke agrees with Brinkworth’s prediction. He said it’s typical for a downward trend to occur when speed enforcement programs are rolled out.

“People have in the back of their mind that something is going to happen and they’re going to owe somebody a hundred or two hundred bucks,” said Kuhnke, who is the managing director for the Saskatchewan Centre of Excellence for Transportation and Infrastructure.

Kuhnke said drivers may forget a programs exact start date, but know it’s near and start to slow down to avoid a possible ticket. He said that other provinces that have implemented a photo speed enforcement system have seen vehicle crashes decrease by roughly 25 per cent and hopes the same occurs in Saskatchewan.

READ MORE: Does photo radar change driving habits?