The Quebec government will acquire 66 new photo radars and quadruple the number of mobile speed cameras across provincial roads [1], [2].
This expansion represents a significant shift in how the province monitors traffic speeds. By increasing the density of automated enforcement, the government aims to reduce speeding incidents and lower the rate of traffic fatalities across its highway network.
The initiative is led by the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility under Minister François Fréchette [1], [2]. Officials said the rollout of these devices will occur over the next two years [1], [2].
The plan focuses on a combination of fixed and mobile units. While the province will purchase 66 specific photo radar units [1], the broader strategy involves a fourfold increase in the presence of mobile radars on the roads [2]. This approach allows authorities to deploy surveillance in high-risk zones more flexibly than static installations allow.
Government representatives said the primary objective is to strengthen road surveillance. The increased presence of cameras is intended to force a change in driver behavior, specifically targeting chronic speeders who contribute to road accidents [1], [2].
This deployment comes as part of a wider effort by the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility to modernize road safety infrastructure. The province will integrate these new tools into existing traffic management systems to ensure a more comprehensive coverage of the road network [1].
“The Quebec government will acquire 66 new photo radars”
The decision to quadruple mobile radar presence suggests a transition toward automated enforcement to compensate for potential gaps in manual police patrolling. By focusing on mobility rather than just fixed locations, the government can create a 'perceived omnipresence' of surveillance, which is typically more effective at reducing average speeds than static cameras whose locations are well-known to commuters.
