Calgary Traffic Deaths Surge to Decade High; Urgent Action Needed

UPDATE: Calgary is facing a critical public safety crisis as traffic deaths soar to a decade high, with 30 fatalities reported so far in 2025. This alarming statistic includes 11 pedestrian deaths, highlighting an urgent need for immediate action. The city’s police and officials are calling for a cultural shift in road safety behaviors following a series of tragic pedestrian collisions, including three fatalities in a single 24-hour period earlier this month.

Authorities confirm that emergency crews have responded to multiple pedestrian incidents in recent days. Notably, a hit-and-run occurred late Wednesday evening at 68th St. and 43 Ave N.E., resulting in minor injuries. Just hours later, on Thursday at approximately 12:40 p.m., a man was struck by a truck on the 1300 block of Hastings Cres. S.E. and is currently in life-threatening condition.

Calgary’s traffic fatality numbers have alarmingly doubled since 2017, when there were just 11 deaths. The surge in pedestrian fatalities is particularly concerning, jumping from 2 deaths in 2017 to 11 this year, and 13 in 2024.

Police Chief Katie McLellan emphasizes the emotional toll of these statistics. “These tragedies are not statistics. They represent lives lost, families shattered, and communities grieving,” she stated. The Calgary Police Service (CPS) is collaborating with city officials through the Safer Mobility Plan, which focuses on improving road safety through “engineering, education, and enforcement.”

One of the CPS’s newest initiatives is the Drive to Zero campaign, which aims to eliminate traffic-related injuries and deaths through enhanced public awareness and behavioral changes. “However, enforcement alone is not enough,” McLellan warned. “We need a cultural shift in how we approach road safety.”

As daylight hours shorten, police are launching a winter phase of the campaign with new ads highlighting both driver and pedestrian responsibilities in darker, icy conditions. Sgt. Nick Wilsher from the CPS urges shared responsibility: “Everyone needs to play their part. Pedestrians should remain visible and cautious, while drivers need to expect the unexpected.”

AI technology is playing a role in the city’s response. Calgary’s mobility team is utilizing an artificial intelligence traffic safety platform that can predict high-risk intersections before collisions occur, achieving about 90 percent accuracy. The city is budgeting $5 million annually for safety improvements, with a potential increase of $6.5 million in 2026 as more AI tools are deployed.

For residents like Stina Lindenblatt, whose husband Ralph Lindenblatt was killed in a traffic incident last November, these statistics are painfully personal. “It’s baffling that this isn’t being worked on because these are preventable deaths,” she expressed, advocating for urgent changes at the intersection of Elbow Drive and 61 Avenue S.W.

Newly-elected Ward 11 Councillor Rob Ward has pledged to prioritize this intersection, stating, “Our goal is to prevent future tragedies by working together with residents and first responders.” The community’s frustration is palpable as they await action to enhance safety measures.

As the city grapples with its rising traffic fatalities, the time for change is now. With every passing day, the call for vigilance grows louder. Residents, officials, and police alike must unite to promote safer roads and protect lives.

Stay tuned for further updates as Calgary confronts this urgent public safety crisis.