It wasn't intended to be a major revenue source but thanks to drivers with heavy feet, photo radar in Moose Jaw has become a bit of a cash cow.

The pilot project with SGI was intended to get drivers to slow down on the TransCanada Highway that goes around the city and in two schools zones that were chosen as problem spots.  After about a year, over $1 million in fines have been collected according to Finance Director Brian Acker.  Half of that will pay for administering the program while the other half is left at city council's discretion for spending.

"in the contract that the city signed with SGI, it doesn't exactly spell out what that money is to be used for but our understanding in talks with SGI is that is what the majority of cities are doing, exactly what they are suggesting and that's to put it into some kind of reserve and use it for safety initiatives."

Council is expected to discuss the $540,000 as part of their operating budget discussions next month but Acker stressed that this funding can't be counted on since drivers are now learning that the photo radar is there and are starting to slow down.