Almost all of us at some point are touched by traffic violence in our lives. You or someone you know is likely to have been injured or worse using a roadway. I’d like to share with you some of the work I’m advancing at City Hall and ask your help.

In 2024, there were 26 traffic deaths and 129 serious injury collisions. 

These points illustrate why traffic calming and road safety work underway by city council is just as critical as other measures to improve public safety. Not only can this cause a horrific loss of life and human potential, it leads to enormous insurance premium increases and damages affordability for everyone else, something that should be a grave concern to our provincial government as well. 

Unfortunately the Provincial government removed the automated enforcement program without leaving us any traffic safety tools in its place. In December 2024, the Government of Alberta announced changes to the Automated Traffic Enforcement Guideline that significantly reduce the City’s ability to support road safety through mobile automated enforcement and intersection safety devices. 

While the City is most concerned with the safety impacts, these changes are forecasted to result in a $12.8 million reduction in revenue in 2025 based on current information available. All of that revenue was dedicated funding for our roadway safety measures. Policing is incredibly expensive and the Minister should have provided full-cost funding to dispatch officers on a one-to-one basis to replace the 24/7 traffic cameras so there isn’t a gap in coverage. Removing cameras from intersections makes roadways more dangerous.

With the removal of automated enforcement, municipalities are very limited in our enforcement tools. At the April 22nd, City Council meeting, my colleagues passed my motion: 

That Administration to prepare a report for options to expand municipal traffic safety capacity, including opportunities for a cost neutral program. 

To fill the gap, I’m hoping that we can explore using bylaw officers or other tools or interventions to help ensure safe streets. We had also previously passed a motion to enhance City of Edmonton Peace Officer Authorities that will be coming back in 2026.

That Administration, in collaboration with the Government of Alberta and Edmonton Police Service, explore policies and procedures as well as opportunities to enhance City of Edmonton Peace Officer authorities through the provincial Peace Officer Program, specifically, but not limited to: 

• • Minor criminal offenses;

• • Warrant apprehension;

• • Access to appropriate databases to create efficient records management;

• • Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) and the authority to undertake emergency response driving for some incidents;

and return to Committee with a report outlining findings and cost implications.

Due Date: Second Quarter 2026, Community and Public Services Committee

Ultimately, building better infrastructure is a proven tool for increased traffic safety. That means implementing safe road standards in new communities and building better when we renew existing ones.

Structural changes to roads (sometimes called ”road diets”, or “traffic calming measures”) save lives. Study after study has proven that drivers will drive the speed that they “feel safe” at. Learn more here: https://www.michaeljanz.ca/safe_streets_and_neighbourhood_renewal

Multi-use paths and bike lanes save lives. Remember how dangerous and frustrating it was driving on Whyte Avenue amongst bikes before the 83rd ave bike lane absorbed all the cyclists? With Minister Dreeshan and the UCP attacking cycling to distract from their scandals, we have both an opportunity to push back, and showcase why safe roads matter. Learn more and take action at www.michaeljanz.ca/bikeplan

We must not be numb to these horrific consequences.

• A 21 year old woman was killed by a driver in Mill Woods crossing the street in a marked crosswalk. 
• A woman died in a Mill Woods parking lot after she tripped, fell and was struck by a driver in a Hummer.
• A 3 year old boy was killed by a speeding pickup truck driver in a marked crosswalk and his mother and sister were taken to hospital.

TAKE ACTION

If you are hearing noisy vehicles, please take action via www.michaeljanz.ca/noise

The Edmonton Police have asked your support in noise reporting form here: https://www.edmontonpolice.ca/TrafficVehicles/TrafficConcerns/VehicleNoise

Please help them identify hotspots and provide data to dispatch resources.

Report dangerous crossings via 311: The best route to report unsafe crossings is through 311. This allows us to take in any information, do an assessment and determine next steps. The different types of pedestrian crossings are outlined on our website HERE. 

The City of Edmonton also uses the Safe Crossings Program to assess, prioritize upgrades and implement crossing safety tools to increase safety and livability for everyone.  

If you are witnessing unsafe traffic, we do encourage you to report those to EPS. You can report general traffic concerns like chronic speeding or stop sign violations using the Edmonton Police Service Traffic Concerns Form. You can also report parking complaints and other concerns using the City of Edmonton 311 app or by calling 311.

City council is unable to direct the EPS as their operations and governance are independent. If you have questions or issues with the operations of the EPS, please contact the Edmonton Police Commission: [email protected] 

Concerned about the increasingly dangerous and distracting vehicles being sold in Canada? Contact your MP and the federal transportation regulator because drivers in larger vehicles with less visibility are not only more likely to hit people, but more likely to pull them under and crush them. Read More: https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshmax/2024/12/22/bigger-vehicles-arent-always-safer-study-reveals/