Uptick in Edmonton traffic fatalities may be driven by impairment: city officials

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Impaired driving may be behind the slight rise in serious traffic collisions in Edmonton last year, city officials say.

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Sixteen people were killed in crashes last year — the most since 2018 — and the number of seriously injured cyclists hit a seven-year high at 26, publicly available collision data shows. Among those killed in 2021 were five pedestrians, one cyclist, two motorcyclists and eight vehicle occupants. In total, 259 people were seriously injured.

Jessica Lamarre, director of safe mobility for the city, told reporters on Thursday the slight uptick in fatalities may be related to impaired driving.

“When you take a look at both serious injuries and fatalities together, we have seen a reduction (overall) from 2019,” she said. “Over time, we’re continuing to see those (downward) trends. Unfortunately last year we saw an uptick, particularly in fatalities related to the cause of impairment.“

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Alcohol was a factor in three fatal crashes and drugs were a factor in one, said city spokeswoman Sarah Gioumetakis. Have non-fatal but serious crashes involved alcohol, five involved drugs and another two involved both.

In total, there were 21 serious impairment-related crashes in 2021, compared to 13 in 2020, 15 in 2019, and the same number as 2018, according to the city’s 2021 annual Vision Zero report.

The city did not provide data to compare to previous years.

“(Impaired driving) increased in 2021 after a period of a downward trend … This serves as a reminder for all of us that driving under the influence endangers not only the life of the driver but all people on the road,” the report states.

Asked if the increase in deaths reflects at all on the success of the city’s strategy, Lamarre said deaths are only one metric.

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“I think it’s important that we have to take a moment to think about each and every one of those fatalities. Those are human beings. Those are our neighbors and our friends. Certainly, focusing on that number and that metric of progress is really important. It is but one of the metrics that we use to look at whether or not we’re making progress towards Vision Zero,” Lamarre said.

The stated goal of Edmonton’s safe mobility strategy, Vision Zero, is to hit “zero traffic-related serious injuries and fatalities” within the next 10 years, according to the city’s website.

Lamarre said the city will work with Edmonton Police Services on finding out why there were more crashes involving impaired drivers and to figure out how to prevent it.

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The department working on safe mobility is seeking permanent funding from the city as cash from photo radar revenues dries up.

This is despite strong public demand for programs like Street Labs program — which sees traffic calming measures like curb extensions and brightly-colored walkways — and signs that show drivers their speed.

This work is really important to making Edmonton safer, Lamarre said.

“What kind of city are we trying to build? … What kind of environment are we creating for ourselves to move around the city, regardless of mode, making that safe, convenient and comfortable for all ages and abilities?”

Last year, the city brought in a new 40 km/h default speed limit for most residential roads and some other high-use pedestrian areas like Downtown and Whyte Avenue.

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@laurby