City of Ottawa owed millions in unpaid fines for red light, photo radar camera violations
CTV
Drivers owe the City of Ottawa more than $16 million in unpaid fines for photo radar and red light camera violations over the past six years.
Drivers owe the City of Ottawa more than $16 million in unpaid fines for photo radar and red light camera violations over the past six years.
The city's red light camera program has resulted in 300,338 tickets issued to drivers for running red lights since January 1, 2018, while the automated speed enforcement program has resulted in 673,567 speeding tickets since the program launched in July 2020.
Statistics provided to CTV News Ottawa that there are 49,183 "unpaid and defaulted" fines totaling $8.8 million for photo radar infractions, and 21,236 "unpaid and defaulted" fines worth $7.299 million for red light camera violations.
The ticket is considered past due 91 days from the day the ticket is issued.
City staff say on average, seven per cent of tickets issued by the cameras remain unpaid.
"Unpaid fines can lead to license plate denial, transfer of offence to the property tax roll, garnishment of wages or a writ of seizure and sale," staff said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa.
"Additionally, the City can make referrals to a private collection agency for enhanced collection. The City of Ottawa has an agreement in place with Province of Quebec, which includes the denial of license plate renewal."
