This release was issued under a previous government.

Intersection Safety

Last year, 80 people were killed and more than 8,000 people were injured in collisions at intersections in Alberta. About 87 per cent of all collisions are attributable to driver error. Staying focused and following the rules of the road are key to reducing collisions and keeping everyone safe on the road.

“Albertans continue to underestimate how dangerous an intersection can be. Pedestrians, cyclists and motorists all converge at various speeds, making collisions more likely. Everyone needs to use extra care and attention when travelling though intersections, whether in a municipality or on a rural road.”

Wayne Drysdale, Minister of Transportation

“Alertness and awareness are critical behaviours when negotiating intersections, both in urban and rural settings. Close to 30 per cent of all fatal collisions in Canada are associated with intersections. We’re asking drivers to slow down, drive defensively and share the responsibility of keeping our intersections safe.”

Superintendent James Stiles, Deputy Director, Alberta Sheriffs Traffic Operations

Intersection Facts

  • In Alberta last year, three of the top five driver errors in casualty collisions were making a left turn across the path of an oncoming vehicle (12.9 per cent), committing a stop sign violation (7.8 per cent), and disobeying a traffic signal (7.2 per cent).
  • In Canada, 28 per cent of fatalities and 40 per cent of serious injuries from collisions involved an intersection.
  • Failure to stop at a stop sign can result in a $287 fine and three demerits. At a stop sign, drivers are required to come to a complete stop, which means the wheels of the vehicle must not be moving, before proceeding safely through the intersection. This complete stop gives drivers the opportunity to look for oncoming traffic, pedestrians, or cyclists.
  • Failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk carries a fine of $575 plus four demerit points.