Ontario’s 100 km/h highway speed limits don’t reflect reality. Here’s why raising them to 130 km/h and using smarter speed cameras could make roads safer, fairer, and more efficient.

If you’ve driven on any major highway in Ontario, you’ve probably noticed something odd. The speed limit says 100 km/h, but almost everyone is going 120 or even 125. It’s not because people are reckless. It’s just how traffic flows. And yet, we continue to enforce outdated speed limits that don’t reflect how people actually drive.

Recently, the Ontario government announced plans to ban speed cameras, calling them a “cash grab.” That sparked a lot of debate. Are speed cameras really about safety, or are they just another way to generate revenue? And if safety is the goal, are we even going about it the right way?

I think there’s a better approach, one that’s smarter, safer, and more honest.

How People Actually Drive

The reality is, most drivers aren’t trying to break the law. They’re just trying to get to work, pick up their kids, or make it to a weekend getaway without spending half their day on the road.

On highways, 120 km/h is the norm. It’s not aggressive driving, it’s just efficient.

So what if we stopped pretending that 100 km/h is the right limit and raised it to 130 km/h instead? That would reflect how people already drive. Then, we could install speed cameras that only ticket drivers going 140 km/h or more. That’s the kind of speeding that’s actually dangerous.

This approach would likely result in fewer tickets, which is exactly the point. If the goal is safety, not revenue, then fewer tickets should be a sign of success.

A Fair System Builds Trust

People are more likely to follow rules when those rules make sense. If the speed limit feels fair and enforcement is predictable, drivers will adjust.

That’s exactly what happens in many European countries. Speed cameras are everywhere, but speed limits are higher, and people respect them because they’re reasonable.

In Ontario, the current system feels like a trap. You’re driving with the flow of traffic, doing 120, and suddenly you get a ticket because a camera caught you going 22 km/h over the posted limit. It doesn’t feel like safety enforcement, it feels like punishment.

By raising the limit and focusing enforcement on truly risky behavior, Ontario could build a system that feels less like a game of “gotcha” and more like a partnership between drivers and policymakers.

It’s Not About the Money, or At Least It Shouldn’t Be

If safety is the goal, then fewer tickets should be the goal too. A system that encourages safe driving and issues fewer fines is a win for everyone.

Instead of banning speed cameras altogether, Ontario could take a smarter approach:

Raise highway speed limits to 130 km/h Use cameras to catch only high-risk drivers Reinvest revenue into road safety improvements (signage, safer intersections, and public education)

That way, the money goes back into making roads safer, not just into general coffers.

A Smarter Way Forward

This isn’t just about numbers. It’s about people. Drivers want to feel like the system is working with them, not against them. They want to know that the rules are fair, the enforcement is reasonable, and the goal is truly about keeping everyone safe.

By modernizing speed enforcement, Ontario has a chance to create safer roads, reduce frustration, and build public trust.

We don’t need to throw out speed cameras, we just need to use them better.

Let’s stop punishing people for driving the way they’ve always driven. Let’s start protecting them from the real risks. And let’s build a system that reflects how people actually live, move, and drive.

Because when policy meets reality, everyone wins.