Authorities in Newfoundland and Labrador dispatch 8,000 speeding tickets totaling more than $3 million after pausing the process during last fall’s two-month Canada Post strike. Drivers now confront fines from $200 to $1,900, with some receiving multiple notices.
Minister Explains Ticket Rollout
Government Services Minister Mike Goosney attributes the delay to decisions by the prior administration. “The previous administration held off putting tickets out in the mail. That was a decision at that time and, as I’m new to this portfolio, I didn’t want to make any knee-jerk decisions,” Goosney states. “But we’ll start rolling out the program here in the very near future.”
Opposition government services critic Sarah Stoodley criticizes the holdup, arguing it undermines road safety goals. “Obviously, one of the platforms of the PC government was safer communities. We know that speed cameras significantly impact driver behavior. So people slow down and there are fewer accidents when there are speed cameras,” she says. “Obviously, if you’re not sending out tickets, people’s behaviour may not change. So I think it’s extremely disappointing.”
Recent Setbacks
Last summer, thieves stole solar panels powering speed cameras on Veterans Memorial Highway. Goosney reports, “While this was disappointing, the vendor acted quickly to ensure the camera continued operating using an alternative power source while repairs were completed.”
Camera Locations and Selection
Seven cameras currently operate province-wide: Waterford Bridge Road and Larkhall Street in St. John’s, Blackmarsh Road in Mount Pearl, Karwood Drive in Paradise, Trans-Canada Highway in Gander, and two sites on Veterans Memorial Highway. Officials choose locations using traffic data and input from police and municipalities to target high-risk speeding areas.
Expansion and Results
Three more cameras join the network soon. Since starting last July, fines total $45,338. A five-year, $3.9 million contract with Jenoptik Smart Mobility Solutions handles installation, operation, and maintenance. Devices detect speeds, photograph license plates, and send tickets to registered owners.
The Progressive Conservative government pledges ongoing support. A 2023 summer pilot in Mount Pearl and Paradise logged over 94,000 vehicles speeding by at least 11 km/h but issued warnings only. Continued operation at that pace could yield tens of millions yearly.
Goosney and Stoodley stress safety as the priority, not revenue. “It isn’t a cash grab. Ideally there’s no speeding, there are no accidents, and we don’t make any money,” Stoodley asserts. “I don’t think anyone can argue with, you know, you shouldn’t speed in a school zone. And if you speed excessively in a school zone, there’s a financial penalty for that.”
