2024 marks highest number of fatal road collisions in over a decade

Calgary police are urging people to focus on keeping the roads safe after 2024 saw the highest number of fatal road collisions since 2013. 

The Calgary Police Service (CPS) says it responded to 29 fatal traffic collisions — 13 of which involved pedestrians — in 2024, the majority of which occurred in the final quarter of the year. 

Last year marked the highest number of deadly vehicle incidents in just over a decade. 

In a news release sent Wednesday morning, police called the numbers "an alarming trend" that CPS "does not want to see continue."

Last year also saw a total of 85 traffic investigations related to serious-injury or fatal collisions, tying the year 2007 for the highest annual count on record, according to police. 

As for 2025, there have been three fatal collisions, with of those two involving pedestrians, as of Jan. 28. 

During a news conference on Wednesday morning, Insp. Paul Wozney with CPS's traffic unit told media that having the right-of-way does not always mean it's safe to proceed. 

Wozney cautioned that drivers must always be scanning crosswalks, even green-light intersections to ensure pedestrian safety. 

"I'm more concerned about somebody driving around a [4,000] or 5,000 pound vehicle that has their eyes into their phone than I am around addressing it from a pedestrian perspective," he said.

Wozney encouraged pedestrians to also pay attention to their surroundings and avoid distractions by taking out headphones or pausing loud music, especially in unmarked crosswalks.

35 per cent of fatal collisions involved speed

In 2024, police also said that 35 per cent of the year's fatal collisions were related to unsafe or excessive speed. 

According to Dominic Schamuhn, manager of advocacy with the Alberta Motor Association, the safety of pedestrians is the driver's responsibility beginning the second someone motions to cross the street and until the moment they are on the other side. 

"As a driver, it's our responsibility to scan ahead to look for pedestrians," said Schamuhn.

"So as a driver, it's making sure that we're always scanning ahead, always looking for pedestrians and recognizing that."

Police also say that marked and unmarked crosswalks are seen as high-danger zones when tied with high speed limits of 50 km/h and above. 

CPS has several suggestions for pedestrians and drivers in the hopes of preventing further collisions and fatal incidents:

• Always cross at marked crosswalks or intersections, where drivers expect to see pedestrians.
• Watch multiple lanes when crossing the street. Police say that one car stopping doesn't guarantee others will.
• Avoid jaywalking, as drivers may not expect to see pedestrians crossing in unmarked areas. 
• Motorists and pedestrians should establish eye contact with each other before anyone proceeds.
• Police advise all drivers scan ahead for pedestrians, follow the posted speed limit and drive with caution through populated areas, particularly during the evening hours.