Alberta on track to see the most traffic deaths in a decade: ‘Disaster waiting to happen’

TRAFFIC Alberta on track to see the most traffic deaths in a decade: ‘Disaster waiting to happen’ By Karen Bartko Global News Posted September 15, 2026 7:39 pm 5 min read View image in full screen RCMP and EMS attend the scene of a crash on Highway 627 on Aug. 13, 2026 that resulted in the death of a 69-year-old Edmonton man. Parkland RCMP LEAVE A COMMENT SHARE THIS ITEM ON FACEBOOK SHARE THIS ITEM ON X SEND THIS PAGE TO SOMEONE VIA EMAIL SEE MORE SHARING OPTIONS DESCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE INCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE Driving habits in Alberta have taken a turn for the worse. RCMP say based on the data so far in 2026, the province is on track to record the highest number of traffic fatalities in a decade. “We’ve had good years and we’ve had bad years in the last 10 years,” said RCMP Sgt. Darrin Turnbull, a nearly three-decade veteran of the force. Alberta RCMP recorded 286 traffic deaths in 2015. The lowest since then was in 2019, when 210 people died. “But how sad is it for me to say that we’ve had good years, when a good year is 210 people dying on Alberta highways? That’s way too many — and that’s a good year! We need to have those numbers come down.” “We’re begging Albertans to please drive safe.” SHARE THIS ON X CLICK TO SHARE QUOTE ON X: "WE'RE BEGGING ALBERTANS TO PLEASE DRIVE SAFE." STORY CONTINUES BELOW ADVERTISEMENT Between Jan. 1 and Aug. 31, RCMP recorded 192 traffic deaths on the roads it patrols across Alberta, compared with 144 during the same period in 2025. June has been the only month so far in 2026 with fewer fatalities than normal, police said — every other month has exceeded the four-year average. Traffic collisions increase in the fall and winter due to shorter daylight hours, slippery roads, and peak wildlife mating season leading to more crashes with deer and other large animals. “Typically in months of September, October, November, December, Alberta RCMP’s average is 82 people who die on our highways. If we keep that average up, or that pace up for this next year, we’re gonna be at a 10-year high.” 5:03 Drivers are cautioned to drive defensively as temperatures drop Stick to the Facts Add Global News as a Preferred Source on Google to see more of our stories in your search results. Police said based on historical trends, if the fatal collision pattern continues, 2026 could end with 274 deaths. STORY CONTINUES BELOW ADVERTISEMENT “Behind these numbers are the friends, families, loved ones, neighbours, co-workers…