About photo radars
Photo radar devices, also known as detection systems, are installed at identified locations to improve road safety. They detect speeding or failing to stop at a red light.
Types of photo radars
Three types of photo radar devices are used in Québec:
stationary photo radar
mobile photo radar
red-light monitoring equipment
Stationary photo radar
The stationary photo radar is installed on the side of a public road. It measures the speed of vehicles and takes photos of them when they exceed the speed limit.
Example of a stationary photo radar device
Mobile photo radar
A mobile photo radar can be moved from one site to another and can be:
installed on a van
installed on a trailer
placed on a roadside tripod
Once set up, it measures the speed of each vehicle and takes photos of those exceeding the prescribed speed.
Example of a mobile photo radar installed on a van
Red-light monitoring equipment
This equipment is installed at an intersection that has traffic lights. It takes photos of vehicles that fail to obey red traffic lights. If the speed control function is activated on the device, speeding vehicles will also be photographed.
Example of a red-light monitoring camera (left)
Aim of photo radar enforcement
The aim of photo radar enforcement is to improve road safety. Since the presence of photo radars is signalled in advance, drivers tend to adapt their behaviour for fear of being ticketed. As a result, there is a reduction in the number of accidents recorded where these devices are installed.
Depending on the type of device, the number of accidents is reduced by:
- 29% for stationary photo radars
- 28% for red light monitoring equipment
- 12% for mobile photo radars
Fines and costs arising from offences detected by photo radar are deposited in a road safety fund (the Fonds de la sécurité routière), which may only be used to finance road safety measures or programs and assistance for victims of road accidents.
To learn more about how photo radar devices work and the consequences of violating traffic laws, visit the page Offences detected by photo radar devices.
Last update: December 8, 2025