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Photo radar is about safety, not revenue generation, Calgary police said Saturday, after provincial officials said some municipalities are using the tool as a cash cow.

“The fines around any traffic infraction (are) really based on deterrence,” Deputy Chief Ray Robitaille said.

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“It’s not revenue generation in terms of trying to create a profit. That does go back into revenue streams to help support enforcement efforts, but it’s never designed to generate a profit.”

Robitaille said the primary goal with photo radar and other traffic fines is based on public safety and reducing collisions and injuries. He added the police service is taking “a very close look” at a provincial study released this week.

“That’s something that we’re going to digest and certainly look at being compliant,” he said.

The provincial government released a third-party review of photo radar operations in Alberta on Thursday that found photo radar has “a marginal contribution” to traffic safety, with automated traffic enforcement (ATE) directly linked to a 1.4 per cent reduction in collisions and a 5.3 per cent reduction in the proportion of fatal collisions.