Data and Research

Data and research supports the use of automated speed enforcement.

Research from the World Health Organization (Speed Management 2nd Edition) notes that Vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists, as well as two- and three-wheelers, have a high risk of severe or fatal injury when motor vehicles collide with them. This is because they are often completely unprotected or, in the case of a motorcyclist, have very limited protection. The probability that a pedestrian will be killed if hit by a motor vehicle increases dramatically with impact speed. Research shows that adult pedestrians have a 90% chance of surviving crashes at speeds of 30 km/h or lower (30) – with some studies showing as much as a 99% chance of survival. That probability is reduced to 50–80% when the impact speed is 50 km/h. Generally, the risk of pedestrian death increases more rapidly for any small increase in the impact speed between 30 and 70 km/h. A meta-analysis of 20 studies assessing the risk of fatality for pedestrians reported that for every 1 km/h above 30 km/h that speed increases, the chance of pedestrian death increases by 11%. It is within this context that a speed of 30 km/h is recommended in areas with high pedestrian traffic.

A recent study led by The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) has found that automated speed enforcement (ASE) cameras significantly reduce speeding in Toronto's school zones. Published in the journal Injury Prevention on July 25, 2025, the study analyzed data from 250 school zones between July 2020 and December 2022. According to the study ASE contributes to a 45% reduction in speeding vehicles, a 10.7 km/h drop in 85th percentile speed (a key traffic safety metric indicating the speed at which 85% of vehicles are traveling), an 88% drop in speed for those vehicles traveling more than 20 km/.h over the speed limit and an 84% drop in vehicles exceeding the speed limit by 15 km/h or more.

Key findings from a 2025 CAA Ontario survey show that 73% of Ontario drivers slow down when approaching a speed camera, and 52% say they are unlikely to speed up after passing through an ASE zone. It goes on to show widespread public support with 73% of drivers supporting the use of cameras in targeted areas like school and community safety zones. Additionally, 76% believe the cameras deter speeding.

York Region experienced a reduction in average speeds by 25% or 15 km/h

Innisfil saw an average reduction of speeds by 18 km/h.

Ottawa saw a 70% decrease in vehicles exceeding the speed limit in school zones and speed compliance increased from 38% to 91% within weeks

Guelph average speeds reduced by 17%

Data from Wellington County indicated that average speeds dropped 17% and compliance with the speed limit improved by 66%.

Brampton shows that ASE led to a reduction of up to 18 km/h in vehicle speeds. Essa Township shows a 29% average reduction in speed and a 38% increase in compliance with the posted speed limit.

Region of Waterloo data shows reduced speeds by an average of 15 km/hr and an average of 57% compliance to posted speeds.

In Kingston, averaged over the 8 locations where ASE has been piloted the city saw a 29% increase in speed limit compliance, an 11 % reduction in average speed and 9 % reduction in operating speed.

In Sudbury, not only is ASE effective at reducing the operating speeds (85th percentile speed) of vehicles while deployed to an area an average of 14 km/h but we have seen operating speeds remain reduced after a camera has been moved to another area by an average of 7 km/h.

Studies from Quebec, Saskatchewan, and Winnipeg also confirm declines in speeds, serious crashes, and injuries.