Town lauds Community Safety Camera Program
Streets here are safer thanks to the Community Safety Camera Program, which uses Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) technology to reduce speeding and improve safety in school zones and community safety zones, the Town of Stouffville is reporting.
The program launched in March with pole-mounted cameras at eight approved locations throughout Stouffville.
The Town is reporting a 50 per cent reduction in the number of violations reported in designated community safety zones within the first three months of operation. The highest speed captured in the that time was 210 kilometres per hour in a posted 40 kilometres per hour zone, which carries a penalty of $4,152.
“The early results confirm what we hoped; this program is already influencing driver behaviour in the right direction,” says Mayor Iain Lovatt. “By focusing on education and enforcement, we are seeing real improvements in compliance with speed limits near our schools and in our neighbourhoods. Ultimately, this is about protecting people.”
Ninety per cent of the infractions occurred between 5 a.m. and 8 p.m. The Town is also reporting a 16 per cent reduction of vehicles travelling above the posted speed limit from March to June and that the average speeds travelled in the Community Safety Zones has been decreasing month over month.
While early indicators are “promising,” they don’t yet reflect long-term or seasonal trends, the Town notes. A comprehensive, year-one report will be presented to Council in April 2026, with a mid-year report to be presented this October.
Seasonal conditions, school calendars and public awareness efforts may also influence driving behaviour. While the reduction in speeding is “encouraging,” a full 12 months of data will determine the program’s long-term effectiveness, the Town says.
The ASE system uses a calibrated camera and speed sensor to detect vehicles exceeding posted speed limits. When a violation is confirmed by a Provincial Offences Officer, a Penalty Order is issued by mail under the Town’s Administrative Monetary Penalty System. Fines are set by the Province of Ontario and range from $5 per kilometre for one to 19 kilometres over the speed limit to $19.50 per kilometres for 50+ kilometres over the speed limit.
All tickets are subject to a Victim’s Justice Fee and Ministry of Transportation Search Fee. The penalty is a monetary fine only. There are no demerit points and no insurance implications. Revenue generated from the program is reinvested to offset operational costs and support additional road safety initiatives. As compliance improves, revenues are expected to decline, allowing the program to remain revenue neutral.
Current ASE camera locations are at Hoover Park Drive (eastbound) – east of Sandiford Drive; Hoover Park Drive (eastbound) – east of Kribs Drive; Hoover Park Drive (westbound) – west of Jacob Way; Baker Hill Boulevard. (northbound) – south of Boadway Crescent; Millard Street (eastbound) – west of John Davis Gate; Millard Street (westbound) – east of Braith Crescent; Main Street (eastbound) – west of Pine Street; and Main St. (westbound) – east of Spring Street.
Four additional cameras will be going live in mid-August. Locations include Baker Hill Boulevard (southbound) – west of Bert Bell Court; Tenth Line (northbound) – north of Katherine Crescent; Hoover Park Drive (westbound) – west of Weldon Road; and Hoover Park Drive (westbound) – west of Yakefarm Boulevard.
The initiative supports the Town’s multi-pronged traffic safety strategy, which includes education, enforcement, engineering and now automation. Residents are reminded that the Town of Stouffville will never request ticket payments by phone, email or text message. Tickets are issued only by official letter mail. To learn more about the program or how to pay or appeal a fine, visit townofws.ca/ase.