FAQs

What is Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE)?

ASE, also referred to as an automated system that uses a camera and a speed measurement device to enforce speed limits, is a speed enforcement tool that uses technology to help make roads safer for all road users. An ASE system captures and records images of vehicles travelling in excess of the posted speed limit in school zones and community safety zones with tickets issued to the registered plate holder regardless of who was driving. This will result in a monetary fine, but no demerit points will be applied.

What is a school zone?

A school zone is an area of road in close proximity to a school. School zones are designated by by-law passed by municipal councils as described in the Highway Traffic Act. Typically, school zones have reduced speed limits that are put into effect, either by time of day or 24/7, within 150 metres in front of a school.

What is a community safety zone?
A community safety zone is an area designated through a by-law passed by municipal council to identify and advise motorists they are within a zone where public safety is of special concern including school areas. Certain Highway Traffic Act fines (including speeding) are doubled in community safety zones.

Why is ASE being used instead of traditional enforcement?

While traditional enforcement will still be used, ASE is a complementary method that enables police officers to focus on other critical and time-sensitive tasks. Through ASE, incidents of speeding can be detected on an ongoing and consistent basis, ensuring that school children and other road users always feel safe, not just during traffic blitzes. Using ASE consistently also lends to altering driver behaviour for ongoing road safety.

How will ASE reduce road-related injuries and deaths?

Using technology that supports road safety can help to alter driver behaviour and enforce speed limits in school zones and community safety zones. ASE is one approach to protecting children and other vulnerable road users.

How do we know ASE will be effective?

Several other jurisdictions across North America, and indeed the world, have relied on ASE as a speed enforcement tool with great success. The use of ASE systems has resulted in better speed compliance, fewer collisions and less severity in the collisions that do occur.

Examples include:

• Quebec, in 2016, reported its speed enforcement program reduced average speeds by 13.3 km/h and reduced crashes by 15 to 42 per cent at ASE sites.
• Saskatchewan, which saw an overall reduction of speed in school zones (specifically in Saskatoon, Regina and Moose Jaw) following the piloting of an ASE program with 56 per cent of Saskatchewan residents wanting the program to continue and 93 per cent of those wanting it to continue, also wanting it to expand. An evaluation of the pilot also showed that average vehicle speeds fell by up to 17 per cent and speed-related casualty collisions by 63 per cent, resulting in 51 per cent fewer injuries.

How will drivers know that a location is equipped with ASE?

ASE is about safety and transparency and clear signage will be posted within each school zone and community safety zone where a system is in place and active. There will also be signs installed prior to the issuance of tickets to let motorists know that these systems will be installed in the near future. You can also refer to the City’s website at greatersudbury.ca/ase and social media posts for updated locations.

Are threshold speeds being disclosed?

No.  As speed limits are not guidelines – they are the law - there is no need to disclose threshold speeds. Driving at, or below, the posted limit will ensure a ticket is not issued.

What is the maximum number of tickets someone can receive?
There is no maximum number of tickets someone can receive. A ticket will be issued to the registered plate owner each time their vehicle exceeds the speed limit when a municipal speed camera is in use. This means you may receive more than one ticket at a time and it may arrive weeks after the infraction. The time frame depends on processing times. The best way to avoid a ticket is to obey the posted speed limits.

Does the ASE system capture and store video footage as well as images?

No. As the ASE system being used in Ontario is not a video-based system, only a still image of the license plate is captured.

How are ASE tickets processed?

After the ASE system captures an image of the vehicle exceeding the speed limit, the image is stored and sent to a processing centre. The image is then reviewed by a provincial offences officer with the ticket, which contains a digitized copy of the image and an enlargement of the plate portion, mailed to the registered vehicle plate holder. On conviction, the only penalty is a fine – no demerit points are applied.

What are the fines associated with an ASE ticket?

Tickets issued for speeding when detected through the use of ASE clearly indicate the set fine, which is determined by the Chief Judge of the Ontario Court of Justice and is specific to the rate of speed over the speed limit that the vehicle was travelling at the time the image was taken. For more information regarding set fines, please refer to the Ontario Court of Justice. The total payable indicated on the ticket includes the set fine, court costs and the victim fine surcharge, which is credited to the provincial victims’ justice fund account.

Will a ticket affect my insurance?

While tickets issued will not result in the imposition of demerit points, the reality is that a speeding ticket – whether issued by a police officer or through the use of ASE – could potentially affect your insurance. This is a matter for your insurance company. The best way to avoid any increase in your insurance premium due to speeding is to abide by the posted speed limit.

Will ASE tickets affect driver/owner records such as demerit points?

No. Since the ticket is issued to the registered plate holder and not the driver, no demerit points can be applied.

Who reviews the image before a ticket is issued to the registered plate holder of the offending vehicle?

Every image captured is reviewed by a provincial offences officer at a processing centre. Images are only captured by the ASE system when a vehicle is detected travelling above the posted speed limit. A provincial offences officer then reviews the image and lays a charge when the image proves that the vehicle was speeding and the plate holder (owner) is identified.

Is the ticket issued to the driver of the vehicle?

No. A ticket is sent to the registered owner of the vehicle, which is served by mail to the plate holder at the last known address on file with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. Tickets are expected to arrive within 30 days or less of when the violation occurs.