This release was issued under a previous government.

2014 had the lowest number of alcohol-related fatalities ever recorded in Alberta. Compared to 2013 there were 15 per cent fewer alcohol-related fatalities and drinking drivers in fatal collisions decreased by 20.5 per cent.

Overall, traffic fatalities have declined by 19 per cent since Alberta’s first Traffic Safety Plan was introduced in 2007. The number of fatalities has dropped from 458 fatalities in 2007 to 369 in 2014.

“While there are certainly some bright spots in this report, the number of fatalities and injuries on Alberta roads show that we still have work to do to ensure everyone is safe on our roads.”

Brian Mason, Minister of Transportation

There were a total of 144,740 collisions and 18,745 non-fatal injuries on the roads last year – which is an increase of about 3,100 collisions compared to 2013. Despite increases in population, registered drivers and vehicles, the fatality rate is unchanged and the injury rate decreased slightly from 2013.

In the past year, the number of drivers has increased by 89,247 and the number of vehicles is up by 131,064. Traffic volumes on our provincial highways have also jumped by 4.53 per cent.

From 2009 to 2013, Alberta’s fatality and injury rates per billion vehicle kilometres travelled declined by 0.7 fatalities and 50.1 injuries. Alberta has some of the lowest rates in Canada. Four provinces had a lower fatality rate than Alberta and only two territories had a lower injury rate in 2013.  

Since 2007, the Government of Alberta has worked with its traffic safety partners to implement the Traffic Safety Plan, the first strategy of its kind in Canada. This critical work continues under Alberta’s Traffic Safety Plan 2015.

Traffic Statistic Highlights

  • While the number of fatal collisions declined by 0.9 per cent in 2014, the number of traffic fatalities increased by 3.1 per cent in 2014, over 2013.
  • Overall injury collisions were up 1.2 per cent in 2014 and injuries increased by 0.5 per cent.
  • The total number of collisions increased 2.2 per cent compared to 2013.
  • In total collisions during 2014, 5.7 per cent involved unsafe speed; however, one in four (25 per cent) fatal collisions involved unsafe speed.
  • The number of fatalities has dropped from 458 fatalities in 2007 to 369 in 2014, while serious injuries also dropped by 12 per cent and minor injuries dropped by 25 per cent.