Enforcement at intersections

RCMP and Enforcement Services regularly patrol the community to increase driver awareness and compliance.

Intersection Safety Devices (red light/speed on green cameras)

Strathcona County uses many tools to improve intersection safety. An Intersection Safety Device (ISD) is considered when red light and speed infractions are reducing intersection safety. Use of ISDs is consistent with Strathcona County’s strategic goals of creating a safe and caring community.

Read more about how speed can be the difference between a fender bender and a fatality. (1.3 MB)

Locations

Strathcona County uses Intersection Safety Devices (ISDs) at several major intersections. Each site must be approved and meet criteria defined by the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services. Existing locations are reassessed and tested every two years using an ATE Location Assessment Form.

Permanent signs are installed on all primary access roads entering Strathcona County as well in advance of each intersection monitored by ISD in all four directions.

Violations

Registered vehicle owners may receive violation ticket(s) when:

Entering the intersection when the light is red, and/or
Exceeding the posted speed limit.

Note: Failing to come to a complete stop at a red light before turning right (camera-detected violation tickets issued for this infraction were discontinued at the Granada and Sherwood Drive intersection as per direction as of 12:01 a.m. on April 16, 2022. Note: in-person tickets may still be issued by on-site officers).

Intersection violations captured by the cameras are issued through the mail to the registered owner of the vehicle. The images captured show the rear license plate of the vehicle and not the driver or its occupants. All violations are reviewed by a Peace Officer before they are issued. No demerit points are associated to violations received.

Regulation

Provincial

In Alberta, Public Safety and Emergency Services provides very specific guidelines for automated enforcement use and evaluation requirements. Automated Traffic Enforcement Guideline (alberta.ca)

In the County

Strathcona County has developed additional measures to ensure ISDs in our community are safety-focused, transparent and accountable. Our guidelines define a more rigorous site selection process, communications and evaluation process.

Site selection

ISDs are only one tool to improve intersection safety. When a high collision location is identified, a full review done to identify all potential actions that can improve safety.

For detailed information, read: Safety Device (ISD) Program Guidelines for ISD use in Strathcona County Updated 2024 (1.6 MB)

Evaluation

The Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services requires a full audit of the County’s ISD program every three years to ensure compliance with provincial regulation.

Further to Public Safety and Emergency Services requirements, Strathcona County monitors collision trends and violation statistics at all ISD locations to ensure ISDs are having the desired safety benefit.

ISD Strategy Strathcona County – Annual Reporting

Each year, Strathcona County Enforcement Services develops an ISD Strategy as part of their Strategic Traffic Enforcement Plan. This strategy provides details about the program and sets annual program targets. Additionally, Strathcona County provides information about the ISD program and its evaluation in our ISD Annual Public Report 2023 (993.2 KB) .

Detailed evaluation of the ISDs, including violations issued as well as safety impacts, are available upon request.

Allocation of Funds from ISD Violation Fines

In 2023, $7,433,342 was collected in fines for violations issued at ISDs in Strathcona County. Half of fines collected are retained by the Government of Alberta. After paying our contractor (Global Traffic), who provides a complete ISD end to end service, Strathcona County receives 16% of fines collected.

In 2023 Strathcona County was allocated $1,190,672 from ISD enforcement. These funds play a crucial role in supporting essential traffic and safety initiatives within our community. These initiatives include child seat clinics, an annual bike rodeo, neighbourhood Speed Watch program, commercial vehicle inspections, and community bike patrols. The reinvestment of this money into our community ensures our residents receive great value for their tax dollars and the revenue earned. This vital component ensures that the revenue generated benefits our residents directly and contributes to the overall well-being of our community.

Questions about automated red light and speed detection cameras

1. Does someone review the recordings before motorists are ticketed?
Permanent link to Does someone review the recordings before motorists are ticketed?
Does someone review the recordings before motorists are ticketed?

Yes, trained personnel review every recording to verify the vehicle is in violation of the traffic signal. Tickets are mailed to vehicle owners where it is clear the vehicle ran the red light or was over the set threshold speed.
2. What are the fines and demerit points for tickets issued by an ISD?
Permanent link to What are the fines and demerit points for tickets issued by an ISD?
What are the fines and demerit points for tickets issued by an ISD?

The registered owner of the vehicle in violation of a red light will receive a $405 ticket. Speed infractions follow the specified penalties as listed in the Alberta Traffic Safety Act for speed offences. Registered owner violations do not carry any demerits.
3. Will I be ticketed if I am in the intersection waiting to turn left and I have to turn on the red after traffic clears?
Permanent link to Will I be ticketed if I am in the intersection waiting to turn left and I have to turn on the red after traffic clears?
Will I be ticketed if I am in the intersection waiting to turn left and I have to turn on the red after traffic clears?

No, as long as the vehicle did not enter the intersection after the light turned red, it will not receive a violation.
4. What percentage of drivers travelling through an intersection are ticketed by ISDs?
Permanent link to What percentage of drivers travelling through an intersection are ticketed by ISDs?
What percentage of drivers travelling through an intersection are ticketed by ISDs?

Existing ISD sites in Strathcona County have been very effective at reducing the number of violations at those intersections. Between 2019-2023, a total of 173,227 violations were issued of 138,433,556 vehicles monitored by the ISDs, for a violation rate of 0.125% or 1/799 vehicles.
5. Are the intersections with red-light cameras signed to warn motorists?
Permanent link to Are the intersections with red-light cameras signed to warn motorists?
Are the intersections with red-light cameras signed to warn motorists?

The intersections using the intersection safety devices are signed in all four directions.
6. Isn't regular police enforcement enough?
Permanent link to Isn't regular police enforcement enough?
Isn't regular police enforcement enough?

It is difficult for police to enforce red-light infractions because the police must follow offenders through the light to catch them. This can endanger other motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, as well as the officers. Communities also can't afford to have police patrol intersections as often as necessary to catch drivers who run red lights. The cameras allow police to focus on other enforcement priorities.
7. What is the County’s cost of operating Intersection Safety Devices (ISD)?
Permanent link to What is the County’s cost of operating Intersection Safety Devices (ISD)?
What is the County’s cost of operating Intersection Safety Devices (ISD)?

There is no cost to the County to operate the ISDs. A portion of fines collected for violations go to the contractor to cover the cost of ISD operation.
8. Who can I contact if I have a question about my ticket?
Permanent link to Who can I contact if I have a question about my ticket?
Who can I contact if I have a question about my ticket?
Call Global Traffic Group Ltd. at 780-987-4949 to discuss any questions you have about your red light/speed detection ticket.

Further information
- Visit the Global Traffic Group Ltd. Website: Global Traffic Group
9. Why does Strathcona County use automated enforcement?
Permanent link to Why does Strathcona County use automated enforcement?
Why does Strathcona County use automated enforcement?
ISDs improve safety by reducing:
- the number of “T-bone” crashes
- the severity of “T-bone”crashes
- the incidence of speeding at intersections
They also improve safety for vulnerable road users by encouraging drivers to come to a full stop before turning right.

To access traffic safety research reports and publications, visit the Government of Alberta’s Transportation website.

RCMP and Enforcement Services

Emergency: 9-1-1
24 hour complaint line: 780-467-7741
Administration
Phone: 780-467-7749
Fax: 780-449-1265

Enforcement Services
Phone: 780-449-0170
Fax: 780-449-1265

Location
911 Bison Way Sherwood Park, Alberta T8H 1S9

Image of officer giving a speeding ticket

Snow route parking ban declared in Sherwood Park

Enforcement at intersections

On this page

Intersection Safety Devices (red light/speed on green cameras)

Locations

Violations

Regulation

Provincial

In the County

Site selection

Evaluation

ISD Strategy Strathcona County – Annual Reporting

Allocation of Funds from ISD Violation Fines

Questions about automated red light and speed detection cameras

1. Does someone review the recordings before motorists are ticketed?

2. What are the fines and demerit points for tickets issued by an ISD?

3. Will I be ticketed if I am in the intersection waiting to turn left and I have to turn on the red after traffic clears?

4. What percentage of drivers travelling through an intersection are ticketed by ISDs?

5. Are the intersections with red-light cameras signed to warn motorists?

6. Isn't regular police enforcement enough?

7. What is the County’s cost of operating Intersection Safety Devices (ISD)?

8. Who can I contact if I have a question about my ticket?

9. Why does Strathcona County use automated enforcement?

Related pages

Speed

Winter driving safety

Intersection safety tips

Related topics

Neighbourhood traffic reviews

Traffic management