Wellington County is implementing a one-year Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) Pilot Programme in designated school and Community Safety Zones to:
Curb speeding
Alter driver behaviour
Increase safety for the community
The ASE cameras will be used alongside other traffic control measures that focus on education and enforcement. Some cameras will go live starting January 15, 2025.
The goal is not to punish. The goal is to educate and provide sufficient warning to all drivers that ASE cameras are in use, while providing ample warning through onsite signage, public education, and a phased in camera activation approach. ASE has been proven to slow down traffic and managing speed improves traffic safety for the community.
Camera Locations
The initial seven Community Safety Zones locations for the ASE Pilot Programme include:
“Camera Coming Soon” signage will be installed at least 90 days prior to the activation of the cameras to give proper notice before the programme begins. “Camera In Use” signs will indicate when cameras are active.
Advanced Warning Signs, posted 90-days before cameras are in use.
Active Use Signs, posted once cameras are installed and operational.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) is a system designed to enhance road safety by using cameras and speed detection devices to detect and penalize speeding vehicles. The system uses advanced radar technology and high-definition cameras to monitor vehicle speeds, automatically capturing license plates of vehicles exceeding speed limits.
If your vehicle is captured exceeding the speed limit, you will receive a Penalty Order in the mail. The registered owner of the motor vehicle is liable for the Penalty Order. This Penalty Orderincludes details about the offense, the fine amount, and instructions on how to pay or appeal the Penalty Order.
Convicted owners will not be subject to demerit points.
For Penalty Order payment or appeal options visit our Penalty Order page.
The penalties for the ASE Penalty Orders are determined based on pre-set rates established by the Province of Ontario, as outlined in section 6 of Ontario Regulation 355/22.
Each penalty includes the following components:
Penalty Rate: Calculated based on the number of km/h over the posted speed limit, with specific rates for community safety zones or school zones (refer to Table 1 in O.Reg. 355/22).
Victim Component Surcharge: An additional amount as specified in Table 2 of O.Reg. 355/22.
Administrative Fee: A fixed charge of $8.25, covering costs for accessing the registered owner's information (subsection 6(1), paragraph 5 of O.Reg. 355/22).
The total penalty is the sum of these amounts.
Yes, you can appeal your Penalty Order if you believe it was issued in error. Information on how to contest the Penalty Order will be included in the mailed notice or visit the Penalty Order appeals page.
Failure to pay a Penalty Order within 30 days of being deemed served or before the due date established by a Screening or Hearing Officer, will result in an additional $20 late payment fee being added to the total Penalty Amount and the outstanding Penalty Order will be referred to the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario for the purpose of plate denial. This will result in your vehicle permit not being renewed and a new permit will not be issued, until the total Penalty Amount and all applicable fees have been paid.
An additional $60 fee will be added to the Total Penalty Amount if a vehicle owner fails to attend a scheduled review by a Screening or Hearing Officer, pursuant to Ontario Regulation 355/22. Screening and Hearing Officers have the authority to uphold, cancel, vary the Total Penalty Amount, or grant additional time to pay.
Cancellation/Rescheduling of Screening/Hearing:
You may only cancel or reschedule your scheduled Screening or Hearing once.
Cancellations or reschedulingmust be made at least 72 hours before the scheduled review.
For emergency cancellations (within 72 hours), contact the office immediately at 1-877-748-1025 or by email at ase@ojpc.ca.
Failure to attend or cancelling outside the allowed window may result in additional penalties and/or loss of your appeal privileges.
All charges are reviewed by a Provincial Offences Officer before being issued. If the charge is deemed warranted, a Penalty Order along with a copy of the captured image, is sent to the registered owner of the vehicle within 30 days.
No demerit points are issued.
Under the Highway Traffic Act, vehicle owners are responsible for how their vehicles are used. Since ASE cameras capture only the vehicle’s license plate and not the driver, the registered owner of the plate is held liable and receives the Penalty Order.
No, demerit points are not issued. A fine is sent to the registered owner of the vehicle, regardless of who may be driving the car.
No, ASE Penalty Orders are issued to the registered owner of the vehicle and do not result in demerit points or impact insurance premiums.
The Penalty Order is considered a non-criminal offense and is solely for the purpose of promoting speed compliance.
No, trigger speeds are not disclosed. Speed limits are legal requirements, not guidelines. By driving at or below the posted speed limit, you will ensure no Penalty Order is issued.
Community Safety Zones were identified based on criteria developed during the County’s Road Master Action Plan (Road MAP) study. ASE camera locations were selected based on data that indicates where speed and collisions have been problematic. Currently, the Province only permits ASE to be implemented in School Zones and Community Safety Zones.
The ASE cameras will be placed within the designated community safety zones near the camera warning signs. The exact distance from the signs may vary depending on the specific site layout, but the cameras will always be positioned clearly to best inform drivers that they are entering an enforcement area.
ASE cameras are expected to be deployed in key areas starting in early 2025. Municipal Speed Camera Coming Soon signage will be installed 90 days prior to the activation of the cameras to ensure residents, commuters and visitors have sufficient notice before the programme begins. Residents and drivers will have sufficient time to be aware of the ASE Programme.
ASE helps reduce speed-related incidents, protect vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists, and promote safer driving behaviours. This initiative is part of a broader road safety strategy to save lives and prevent injuries.
ASE uses radar or lidar technology to measure the speed of passing vehicles. If a vehicle exceeds the speed limit, the system captures an image of the vehicle and its license plate. The violation is reviewed, and a Penalty Order is issued to the registered owner of the vehicle by mail. ASE is only operational in specific zones that are clearly marked with signage.
Enforces Speed Limits: ASE cameras help maintain speed compliance, ensuring that drivers adhere to the posted speed limits on roads.
Improves Safety for Vulnerable Road Users: These cameras act as reminders to slow down, especially in areas where children, pedestrians, and other vulnerable individuals are present.
Reduces Severity of Accidents: Driving within the speed limit increases a driver's ability to stop safely in response to sudden events, reducing the likelihood and severity of accidents.
Non-Intrusive for Compliant Drivers: ASE only impacts those who exceed the speed limit. If you follow the speed limit, the system will not affect you at all.
Long-Term Behavioural Change: Over time, drivers develop safer driving habits even in areas without ASE units, creating safer and more peaceful communities.
Warning signs are posted 90 days in advance of installation at each location to inform drivers that their speed may be monitored. These signs are placed at the start of enforcement zones and are clearly visible to drivers.
No, the cameras are not yet live during this period. After installation, cameras go through a testing phase to ensure proper placement and calibration. During this time, images are taken to confirm accuracy. Once the cameras are fully operational, the "Coming Soon" sign will be replaced with an "In Use" sign, indicating that the cameras are live.
All ASE cameras can operate continuously to capture speed violations at any time of the day or night.
The implementation of ASE programmes has been shown to reduce traffic violations. Consequently, the revenue generated from fines tends to decrease over time.
The primary goal of ASE is to enhance road safety rather than to serve as a revenue-generating mechanism.
There is no cost to the County. Global Traffic Group provides the technology and systems required for the programme. Revenue generated through the ASE Programme is split with the vendor. Revenue received by the County will be used to improve road safety measures.
The County will use their share of the funds to invest in road safety measures and initiatives across the County.
The victim fine surcharge portion is submitted to the Province like any other ticket offence. The County retains any net fine revenue, after expenses.
No, ASE cameras do not record houses or people. The cameras use advanced technology that is programmed to only detect moving vehicles, and they are triggered only when a vehicle exceeds the posted speed limit. The cameras do not capture pedestrians, the interior of homes, or vehicles travelling at or below the speed limit. Your privacy is protected, and the focus is solely on enforcing speed limits to improve road safety.
Personal information collected by ASE cameras in the County of Wellington is authorized the Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O 1990, c.H.9, for the purpose of enforcing speed limits to help make roads safer for all road users. The personal information collected is protected in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection and Privacy Act.
Questions about the collection and use of personal information should be directed to the County Clerk’s Office, Manager of Privacy and Information at 519.837.2600 x2528.
