Automated Speed Enforcement Program

Provincial legislation permits municipalities to create by-laws that permit the use of ASE units exclusively in school zones and community safety zones. A community safety zone is an area designated through a by-law that identifies it as a road segment of higher risk or concern.

Certain Highway Traffic Act fines (including speeding) are doubled in community safety zones, which are mostly located close to schools and school zones.

Severn's Community Safety Zone By-Law (By-law 2025-27)  designates portions of the following roads as community safety zones:

• Division Road West (Marchmont Public School)
• Gray Street (Coldwater Public School)
• Cumberland Road (Severn Shores Public School)
• Coldwater Road 
• Muskoka Street north
• River Street
• Burnside Line

Learn more about the locations of the ASE cameras as designated in Severn's Community Safety Zone By-Law (By-law 2025-27). 

Although every municipality uses different methods and techniques to help enforce speed limits, Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) is one method that has proven to be effective in other Canadian provinces and
around the world.

While traditional police enforcement will still be used, ASE is a complementary method that enables police officers to focus on other critical and time-sensitive tasks. Through ASE, incidents of speeding can be detected on an ongoing and consistent basis, ensuring that school children and other road users always feel safe, not just during traffic blitzes. 

Benefits of ASE cameras include:

• ASE units provide an important reminder to drivers to slow down in areas where children and other vulnerable road users are active
• drivers travelling the posted speed limit are more likely able to stop in the case of a spontaneous event; lower speed can also mean a less severe outcome
• evidence shows that driver behaviour begins to change over time (this means that drivers may begin to adhere to the speed limit in areas even where ASE is not present, resulting in safer and more peaceful communities for everyone)

There is no cost to the municipality. Global Traffic Group provides the technology and systems required for the program to efficiently run. Revenue generated through the program is split between Severn and Global Traffic Group. All revenue received by the municipality will be used to improve traffic calming and road safety measures - the funds go back to the community for improvements to overall road safety and to further promote traffic calming measures.

The municipality will use the funds (municipal portion of the net fine revenue) from the fine payments to fund and invest in road safety measures and initiatives across the municipality. The victim fine surcharge portion is submitted to the Province like any other ticket offence. The municipality retains any net fine revenue, after expenses.

In accordance with the signage requirements of O. Reg 398/19,
the 'Municipal Speed Camera Coming Soon' signs will be
displayed for 90 days in advance of any enforcement..

Following the 90 days, the "Municipal Speed Camera In Use' signs will be posted in the designated Community Safety Zone.

Provincial legislation permits municipalities to create by-laws that permit the use of ASE units exclusively in school zones and community safety zones.

Severn's Community Safety Zone By-Law (By-law 2025-27)  designates the following community safety zones:

• Division Road West (Marchmont Public School)
• Gray Street (Coldwater Public School)
• Cumberland Road (Severn Shores Public School)
• Coldwater Road 
• Muskoka Street north
• River Street
• Burnside Line

There will be no disclosure with respect to camera active times under the program. Observing posted speed limits 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, will ensure that drivers are not issued a Penalty Order under the ASE program.

While the exact trigger speeds are confidential, they have been established in accordance with the recommendations of the Ontario Traffic Council and in consultation with the O.P.P., and are set at a reasonable rate.

Each municipality sets their own trigger speeds for their own programs, so what someone receives a Penalty Order for in one area may not be the same in Severn. Drivers in Severn will not receive a ticket for going a small minor amount over the posted limit.

No, Council and staff will be required to pay any penalties received.  Penalty Orders they receive are their own personal responsibility and they will not be paid for by the Township.

Volunteer Firefighters are not exempt from penalties when driving their personal vehicles as there is no provision in the provincial law to facilitate this. However, emergency vehicles are exempt. 

The registered owner of the motor vehicle is liable for the Penalty Order.

Owners disputing the alleged contravention have the following options available to them:

1. pay the Penalty Order
2. request a review by a Screening Officer
3. request a review by a Hearing Officer

Penalty Orders do not result in demerit points.

Registered owners of vehicles that are identified by ASE cameras travelling over the posted speed limit will receive a Penalty Order (Offence) Notice in the mail.

A photograph of the vehicle that was speeding will be on the offence notice along with the enlargement of the vehicle's license plate.

The location of where and when the speeding offence occurred, as well as the speed of the vehicle and the posted speed limit will also be on the ticket.

Penalty Orders can be paid:

• on the online payment portal
• in person by cash, cheque (made payable to the Township of Severn), credit card (Visa and Mastercard only) or debit
• by mail to the municipality

Please note, municipal staff do not have the ability to make any adjustments to the Penalty Order. Requests for reduced fees, changes, or dismissal of Penalty Orders cannot be addressed by municipal staff. If you would like to request a review of your Penalty Order visit the Joint Processing Centre website. 

→ Request a Review of your Penalty Order

All charges are first reviewed by a Provincial Offences Officer. If warranted, a Penalty Order and Offence Notice (fine), with a copy of the captured image, is sent to the registered owner of the vehicle within 30 days. No demerit points are issued.