Photo Radar is here to stay.

The Provincial Government has decided to keep the cameras after a two year pilot project on major roads and school zones in Saskatoon, Regina and Moose Jaw as well as Highway 1 east between the Pilot Butte turnoff and White City and Highway 12 near Martensville.

Statistics during the pilot project period indicated fatalities fell from 22 to 11 between 2016 and 2017.

Provincial officials also said an evaluation during that time revealed an average of 28 fewer collisions annually with about 40 fewer injuries each year.

Minister Responsible for SGI Joe Hargrave said he noticed slower traffic flows while driving through the targeted areas along Ring Road in Regina and Circle Drive in Saskatoon.

A committee comprised of representatives from SGI, RCMP, municipal police, the Saskatchewan Association Urban Municipalities Association, the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations will now be formed to decide on additional photo radar locations.

Twenty-five percent of Photo Radar revenue will go into the government’s general fund. Hargrave said half of what’s left is allocated to the communities getting cameras and the other half will be administered by the committee.

The Minister said small municipalities and RM’s can apply for speed reduction devices such as speed bumps and pedestrian lights for areas they deem unsafe.