Newfoundland and Labrador’s Speed Camera Program

Speed cameras are now in use in select areas of the province to detect vehicles travelling above the posted speed limit. Full rollout of the Speed Camera Program will occur in stages, the first of which is the installation of 10 cameras on provincial and municipal roads and highways.

As the program expands, more speed cameras will be installed on our roads and highways, and also in construction and school zones, at traffic-light controlled intersections and on the stop arms of school buses.

Speed cameras help keep Newfoundland and Labrador’s roads safe by taking pictures of a vehicle’s licence plate when it goes over the posted speed limit. Speed cameras are placed in areas of high traffic where speeding is a problem, including school zones and residential neighbourhoods. The purpose of using speed cameras is to promote road safety and safe driving practices, which helps prevent collisions, injuries and deaths.

Where are speed cameras located?

Speed cameras are placed in areas where safety is a concern, such as:

  • Areas with a history of speeding violations
  • Areas with a history of high-speed collisions causing injury and/or death
  • Areas with high pedestrian activity, especially children
  • Areas near schools, playgrounds, and residential neighborhoods

Areas where speed cameras are in use:

Note: The above list will be updated as more cameras are put in use.

How does a speed camera work?

Detecting Speed

As vehicles pass a speed camera, the speed at which the vehicle is travelling is detected by the camera.

Taking a Picture

If a vehicle is speeding, the camera takes a picture of the rear license plate and records the following information:

  • the date and time the image was captured
  • the location of the speed camera
  • the speed the vehicle was travelling stated in kilometres per hour
  • the posted speed limit
  • the direction of travel of the vehicle

Reviewing the Picture

Traffic compliance officers review each picture to confirm the vehicle was speeding.

Sending a Ticket

A ticket is mailed to the registered owner, even if they were not the driver at the time of the speeding violation. It includes details about the speeding offence, pictures of the vehicle and license plate, and how to pay or contest the ticket.

Why use speed cameras?

Speeding is a leading cause of collisions, injuries and deaths on the province’s roads.

Speed cameras are proven to reduce average vehicle speed in areas where they are installed. Drivers tend to slow down when they know a camera is present. Numerous studies have shown that speed cameras contribute to fewer accidents. Lower speed reduces the likelihood and severity of crashes. Speed cameras allow for consistent, unbiased enforcement without needing a police officer to be present. This frees up law enforcement for other priorities.

Speed cameras:

  • Help slow down traffic
  • Prevent serious road collisions
  • Make roads safer for everyone, especially pedestrians, cyclists, and children
  • Encourage drivers to develop safer road habits over time

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What are speed cameras?
    Speed cameras are devices that use radar and cameras to automatically take pictures of vehicles going over the posted speed limit.
    If a vehicle is speeding, the camera takes a picture of the license plate. A ticket is then sent to the registered owner of the vehicle, even if they were not the one driving.
  2. Where can speed cameras be used?
    Speed cameras can be used on any highway or road in Newfoundland and Labrador.
  3. Why not just use police?
    Speed cameras work with police, not instead of them.
    While the police handle many types of traffic enforcement, speed cameras help by constantly watching how fast vehicles are going in particular areas.
  4. How will speed cameras prevent collisions, injuries and deaths?
    By enforcing posted speed limits, speed cameras promote road safety and safe driving practices.
    Speed cameras help slow down traffic and encourage drivers to develop safer habits over time.
  5. Are speed cameras effective?
    National and international jurisdictions have reported success in reducing and preventing collisions, injuries and deaths on their roads.
    Studies have also shown that the use of speed cameras reduce and prevent both the number and severity of collisions.
  6. How does the province choose where to place a speed camera?
    Locations are chosen based on available traffic data, and in consultation with municipalities and law enforcement.
  7. Will drivers know where the speed cameras are placed?
    Signs will be posted in areas with speed cameras. Signs will be placed within 300 metres of the speed camera.
  8. Will speed thresholds be shared?
    No. If a driver goes at or below the posted speed limit, then they will not get a ticket.
  9. How accurate are speed cameras?
    Speed cameras are calibrated and tested by the vendor (Jenoptik) at minimum every six months to ensure accuracy.
  10. Do speed cameras capture video?
    Speed cameras only capture still pictures of vehicles and their license plates.
  11. How many tickets can a person receive?
    There is no limit. A ticket is issued, every time a vehicle is caught speeding.
  12. How are tickets processed?
    If a vehicle is speeding, the speed camera takes a picture of the rear license plate.
    The picture is securely sent to a processing centre, where a traffic compliance officer reviews each picture to confirm the vehicle was speeding.
    Once confirmed, a ticket is mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. It includes details about the speeding offence, pictures of the vehicle and license plate and how to pay the ticket.
  13. Will the camera take pictures of individuals?
    No. The pictures will not include images of drivers, passengers or pedestrians. The pictures will include the rear of the vehicle and the licence plate.
  14. Who reviews the picture before a ticket is issued?
    Every picture is reviewed by a traffic compliance officer.
  15. Will demerit points be issued?
    No. Demerit points can only be issued to a driver.
    Speed cameras are only capturing information about the vehicle itself, which is why the ticket is issued to the registered owner. The ticket is issued to the registered owner of the vehicle, not the driver.
    Because it cannot be confirmed if the registered owner was the driver at the time of the speeding violation, no demerit points will be issued.
  16. Will drivers get a ticket?
    No. Because speed cameras are only capturing information about the vehicle itself, it cannot be confirmed who was driving at the time the speeding violation was committed.
    The ticket is only issued to the registered owner of the vehicle, not the driver.
  17. Why does the registered vehicle owner get the ticket, not the driver?
    Under subsection 210(1.2) of the Highway Traffic Act, where a speed camera is used to detect a violation, the registered vehicle owner is liable, even if they were not the one driving.
  18. What happens if the vehicle is a rental vehicle?
    Under the terms of the rental agreement, rental agencies hold the renter of the vehicle responsible for a ticket, along with an agency administration fee.
    If a speeding violation committed by a rental vehicle is captured by a camera, the rental car agency will receive the ticket.
  19. Where do I get information about my ticket?
    To view ticket details, visit www.DriveSmartNL.ca or scan the QR code in the top right-hand corner of the Traffic Notice received in the mail.
    Log in using the ticket number and license plate number. You can see the details of your ticket, including the pictures.
    Once logged in, you will be provided information on how to pay or contest the ticket.
  20. How do I pay the ticket?
    There are three ways to pay a ticket.
    Visit MyGovNL
    Visit Fines Administration at 50 Elizabeth Avenue in St. John’s or any Provincial Court location.
    Call 709-729-0424
  21. How do I contest the ticket?
    Visit www.DriveSmartNL.ca and signal your intent to contest the ticket.
    If you do not want to go online, you can fill out the information section on the back of the ticket and either send it by mail or physically drop it off at the Provincial Court location for the area in which the ticket was issued.
  22. How are tickets handled in court?
    Tickets resulting from violations identified by speed cameras are processed through Provincial Court, the same way as speeding tickets issued by a police officer are currently managed.
  23. When is the ticket due?
    The due date for paying the ticket is included on the Traffic Notice you will receive in the mail.
    Everyone is encouraged to pay their ticket as soon as they receive notification in the mail. This will help to avoid late fees.
    Also, if you want to contest the ticket, this must be done before payment is due. Otherwise, you are presumed guilty and will be required to pay the ticket.
    If you have questions, visit www.DriveSmartNL.ca or call 1-877-636-6867.
  24. Is the speed camera program about making money?
    The purpose of using speed cameras is to promote road safety and safe driving practices, which prevent collisions, injuries and deaths on the province’s roads.
    Looking for more information? Contact Us