Quebec is installing new photo radar and red light cameras at 15 locations throughout the province.
The new cameras will be activated on Thursday July 14. When added to the network of permanent and mobile photo radar and red light cameras already in place, Quebec will soon have a total of 48 photo radars throughout the province.
Nine of the devices will function as both photo radar and red light cameras.
"These collisions are often causing bodily harm, where you're basically getting t-boned at an intersection," said Surete Du Quebec spokesperson Lt. Jason Allard.
The remaining six photo radar installations will be fixed on highways. With over 2,000 active road construction sites in the province, fines for bad driving in those areas will be double the normal amount.
The cameras have been criticized for being uncontestable in court and angry motorists have said they are being implemented as a cash cow for the provincial government, rather than to promote road safety. Transport Ministry spokesperson Nomba Danielle insisted this is not the case and that studies show since the cameras were first rolled out in 2009, the number of serious accidents has been reduced by 23 per cent.
"The photo radars are not ticket traps," she said. "They are installed only for road users' safety."
The province says each location has been chosen as a spot where drivers are known to speed, or to run red lights.
There were already 28 permanent photo radar locations in Quebec, with another 20 places where mobile speed cameras could be installed.
For more locations of photo radar outside the Montreal area, check with Transport Quebec
