Alberta on pace for deadliest year on roads since 2015, RCMP warn

Alberta is on pace to record its deadliest year on RCMP-policed roads since 2015 if the current pace continues, Sgt. Darrin Turnbull warned Tuesday.

From Jan. 1 to Aug. 31, RCMP recorded 192 traffic fatalities compared to 142 in the same period last year. If fatal collisions continue at their historical rate for the final four months, the province could see up to 82 more deaths by year's end, which would make 2026 the deadliest year since 2015.

"We're begging Albertans to please drive safe," Turnbull said, adding that behind the numbers "are families, friends and neighbours grieving the loss of someone they loved."

Dangerous driving offences are fuelling the surge. From Jan.–Aug., excessive speeding violations jumped to 570 tickets—the highest for this period since 2022. Distracted driving offences climbed 52 per cent year-over-year, impaired driving rose 15 per cent, and intersection violations spiked 13 per cent. Most accidents are preventable, Turnbull emphasized, pointing to impaired driving, distracted driving and high-speed driving as primary causes, often in combination.

June was the only month that saw fewer fatalities than normal; every other month exceeded the four-year average. The RCMP forwards all collision reports to Alberta Transportation to plan enforcement efforts.

"All of your effort as the driver of that vehicle needs to be on driving," Turnbull said on distracted driving. "Just drive the vehicle; leave the phone alone."

Official results will be confirmed by year's end. Turnbull urged drivers to slow down, obey traffic rules, drive sober and stop at red lights: "A few seconds of poor decision-making can have lifelong consequences."