Use of photo radar in BC was first authorized with enactment of the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act, S.B.C.1995, c. 28, s. 4 which added subsection 76.1(8), allowing the Lieutenant Governor in Council to prescribe a speed monitoring device, to the Motor Vehicle Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c. 288. The section was brought into force on July 19, 1996 by BC Regulation 186/96.
At the same time, the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations (BC Reg 26/58) were amended by BC Reg 185/96 to include provisions (Division 41) prescribing photo radar cameras as the speed monitoring device.
With publication of the Revised Statutes 1996, subsection 76.1(8) of the Motor Vehicle Act, RSBC 1979, c. 288 was renumbered as Motor Vehicle Act, RSBC 1996, c. 318, s. 83.1(8).
Subsection 83.1(8) was subsequently amended by the Traffic Safety Statutes Amendment Act, S.B.C. 1997, c. 43, s. 11(d), to include provisions for a traffic light safety device. (Provisions in force July 15, 1999; BC Reg 215/99)
A further amendment contained in the Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2001, S.B.C. 2001, c. 32, s. 21(d) eliminates any reference to a speed monitoring device in the Motor Vehicle Act. This amendment has yet to be proclaimed in force. Photo radar was effectively discontinued however, with the repeal of provisions in subsection 41.01(1) of the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations prescribing the photo radar camera. (Repeal effective June 28, 2001; BC Reg 162/2001)
A collection of photo radar court cases dating from 1997 to 2000 was compiled by Courthouse Libraries BC and is available in the Vancouver library.
- Photo Radar Decisions - Vancouver Courthouse Library
- Revised statutes of British Columbia, 1979 - Courthouse Libraries
- Statutes of the province of British Columbia - Courthouse Libraries