The Town of Newmarket is making streets safer with its Community Safety Camera Program that aims to modify driver behaviour and decrease speeding in community safety zones near schools. Early results of the program (which launched in the fall of 2024) have shown a:
- 23 per cent reduction in the average speeds in Community Safety Zones (from 47 km/hr down to 37 km/hr) where the speed limit is 40 km/hr; and,
- 73 per cent reduction in the number of vehicles travelling above the posted speed limit when compared to data collected before speed cameras were implemented.
"I am happy to see that speeding has decreased in Newmarket, thanks to the Community Safety Camera Program," says Mayor John Taylor. "Preliminary data has shown early success in improving driver behaviour and enhancing road safety. Newmarket streets are now even safer with the use of automated speed cameras, coupled with the Town's other traffic management measures. As always, our goal is not to ticket drivers. We want everyone to understand the dangers of speeding, especially near schools where children are travelling. Please keep Newmarket streets safe and do not speed."
In September 2024, a warning letter period took place to provide drivers ample opportunity to alter their driving habits which saw 2,500 warning letters issued. From October 2024 to the end of April 2025, approximately 13,709 tickets have been issued with the highest speed recorded to date at 113 km/hr in a 40 km/hr school zone.
It is important to note that the Community Safety Camera Program was launched in the fall/winter season and therefore the traffic data collected reflects seasonal driving habits because of inclement weather (i.e. driving slower and more cautious due to snow and ice). Early data results may not fully represent annual trends for the program. A report with more fulsome data will be presented to Council in 2026. Learn more by viewing the staff report.
Location of Cameras
14 pole mounted automated speed enforcement are located at the following locations:
- Ward 1: Stonehaven Avenue; Kingsmere Avenue
- Ward 2: Gorham Street; Srigley Street East
- Ward 3: Wayne Drive; Patterson Street
- Ward 4: Longford Drive; Bristol Road East
- Ward 5: Queen Street; William Roe Boulevard
- Ward 6: Savage Road; Clearmeadow Boulevard
- Ward 7: Woodspring Avenue East; Woodspring Avenue West
Tickets and Fines
Fines are set by the Province of Ontario and tickets are issued in-house by the Town of Newmarket through the Administrative Monetary Penalty System. Tickets are issued within 30 days of the offence by letter mail to the registered vehicle owner. The penalty is a monetary fine and no demerit points are issued. The Town of Newmarket will not issue tickets or ask for payment by phone, email, or text message. Tickets from the Town of Newmarket will only be issued by letter mail.
Please note that York Region is also running an Automated Speed Enforcement Program separate from the Town of Newmarket.
Funds collected will be used to support safe streets and active transportation
The funds collected from the Community Safety Camera Program are used to offset the cost to run the program and to keep the community even safer. As driver behaviour continues to change and vehicles slow down in Community Safety Zones, the funds generated by the program are anticipated to decrease as well. The potential funds generated by this program will be used to support safe streets, active transportation, and other Town initiatives and ultimately be self-funded (revenue neutral).