Calgary City Council Seeks Urgent Solutions Following Pedestrian Fatalities on Family Day Weekend
After two tragic pedestrian deaths occurred during the Family Day long weekend, Calgary city councillors are actively pursuing measures to address the escalating number of fatal collisions on city streets. The council members have also revealed they are awaiting a response from the provincial government regarding the city's previous request to restore photo radar enforcement.
Details of the Recent Tragedies
The two fatalities, which happened less than twenty-four hours apart, involved a two-year-old child and a senior male in his seventies. These incidents represent Calgary's seventh and eighth fatal traffic collisions in 2026, as well as the second and third pedestrian fatalities of the year. Both pedestrians were struck in marked crosswalks, highlighting significant safety concerns.
The senior male was hit by a semi-truck trailer in a grocery store parking lot located in the 200 block of Panatella Hill N.W., which falls within Ward 3 represented by Councillor Andrew Yule. The child's death occurred at a crosswalk on Horton Road S.W., where memorial flowers were placed.
Council's Push for Photo Radar Restoration
During Tuesday's council meeting, Councillor Yule questioned Mayor Jeromy Farkas about whether he had received any response to a letter sent to Alberta Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen. This letter specifically requested the restoration of photo radar enforcement in Calgary.
Mayor Farkas confirmed that he had met personally with Minister Dreeshen shortly after the 2026 budget discussions, where he raised critical issues regarding traffic safety and the reduction of fine revenue resulting from automated traffic enforcement restrictions. The mayor also disclosed that he sent a formal follow-up letter to Dreeshen's office on February 12, and as of Tuesday morning, was still awaiting a reply.
The Impact of Photo Radar Removal
In his letter to the transportation minister, which Mayor Farkas read aloud during the council's public hearing meeting, the mayor argued that the Alberta government's decision to remove photo radar from provincially controlled highways in April 2025 has directly contributed to an increase in speed-related collisions. This policy change has also resulted in a substantial $28-million revenue shortfall for the Calgary Police Service.
The letter further emphasized that between 2024 and 2025, the Calgary Police Service documented more than 900 pedestrian crashes and an unprecedented 27 fatalities, describing the situation as "a critical public safety crisis." Among these tragic statistics, fifteen fatal pedestrian collisions occurred in 2025 alone, marking an eleven-year high for such incidents.
Broader Traffic Safety Concerns
When considering all motorists involved, the city reported that 38 people lost their lives in vehicular collisions during 2025, making it the deadliest year on Calgary's streets in nearly two decades. This alarming trend has prompted council members to advocate strongly for the restoration of photo radar enforcement, with the intention of using proceeds from subsequent fine revenue to support essential traffic calming measures and safety initiatives throughout the city.
The council's efforts reflect growing community concern about pedestrian safety and the need for immediate action to prevent further tragedies on Calgary's roadways.
