A fatal collision Monday in Etobicoke, where a 63-year-old man lost control of his Dodge Dart and crashed into a parked dump truck, marks the 23rd death on Toronto streets this year, according to Toronto Police Traffic Services. This incident highlights an alarming trend for 2026, as road fatalities have increased 28% compared to the same period in 2025 and are up 44% from two years ago.
Highest Death Toll in Five Years
The 23 deaths are the highest total in the city over the last five years and the most since 2022, when 20 people lost their lives, based on data from the police traffic fatalities dashboard. Three road deaths occurred in less than a week. Monday's death of Etobicoke businessman and car enthusiast Kelly Nichols at Shorncliffe and Bramshott Roads came a day after a pedestrian was struck by a motorist at Old Park Road and Eglinton Avenue West, east of Allen Road, and died at the scene. On May 26, a 37-year-old motorcyclist lost his life after crossing the centre line in the Bayview Avenue and Pottery Road area and colliding with an oncoming Honda CR-V.
Contributing Factors
Police stated that speed and aggressive driving have played a role in a significant number of fatal collisions, but distracted or careless driving is also a big contributing factor. The biggest increase in road fatalities has been among pedestrians and motorcycle riders. Pedestrians account for 14 of the 23 fatalities so far this year. Last year, half of the 18 deaths were pedestrians, as were half of the 16 deaths in 2024 and half of the 14 deaths in 2023. In 2022, 13 pedestrians died, along with six vehicle occupants and one motorcyclist. There have already been six motorcyclist deaths on Toronto streets in 2026, after only five were recorded over the previous four years combined. Five cyclist deaths have occurred over the last five years, with 2024 being the deadliest year after four cyclists lost their lives.
Mayor Calls for Speed Cameras
Mayor Olivia Chow has advocated for the return of speed cameras after the Ontario government outlawed them last November, arguing they had become a cash grab for municipalities. Chow said earlier this week, "It would be nice if we get our speed cameras, 150 of them, so we could lower people's speed, especially in school and community zones and in local neighbourhoods." Last September, Ontario Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria said speed cameras in school zones would be replaced by large new signs advising drivers to slow down. By this September, large signs with flashing lights will be in place. Sarkaria stated, "Our government is focused on measures that truly protect the safety of all Ontarians and we will continue working with municipalities to ensure Ontario maintains its position as one of the safest jurisdictions in North America."
Speeding Surge on Parkside Drive
Safe Parkside, a residents' group advocating for a safer Parkside Drive along High Park's east boundary, reported that speeding on the roadway has surged since the automated speed camera ban took effect. Vehicles travelling 60 km/h or more in the 40 km/h Community Safety Zone increased by 235% between January and April, according to data from the road's Watch Your Speed sign through the city's open data portal. The much-maligned Parkside Drive speed camera, which vandals cut down numerous times before the provincial ban, issued more than 68,000 tickets and generated over $7 million in fines for city coffers.
