Fatal collisions involving excessive speed reached a five-year high in both Calgary and Edmonton in 2025, according to police data cited by the Alberta Motor Association.
Each city recorded 14 such collisions last year.
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AMA is urging drivers to slow down over the Heritage Day long weekend, warning that even small increases in speed can make collisions more severe.
“The reality is that speeding rarely gets drivers where they’re going much faster, but it can dramatically increase the consequences of an error,” said Hannah Hamilton, AMA’s Safe Communities program manager.
“Choosing to slow down gives everyone on the road more time to react and can make the difference between a close call and a tragedy.”
Major injuries and fatalities rise
AMA said the rate of major injuries and fatalities on Calgary roads increased 37 per cent between 2021 and 2025.
The association said the rate increased 35 per cent in Edmonton over the same period.
Calgary’s overall fatality rate doubled between 2021 and 2025, while Edmonton’s increased 73 per cent, according to AMA.
Both cities record 14 collisions
Calgary recorded eight fatal collisions involving excessive speed in 2021, 11 in 2022, 13 in 2023 and 10 in 2024 before recording 14 last year.
Edmonton recorded seven in 2021, six in 2022, 11 in 2023 and 12 in 2024 before also recording 14 last year.
AMA said police officials in both cities have identified excessive speed as a significant contributor to fatal collisions.
AMA says speeding saves little time
AMA said exceeding the speed limit by 20 kilometres per hour on a typical city trip saves about two minutes under ideal conditions.
The association said the time saved is even lower when traffic signals are taken into account.
“Long weekends bring more vehicles on the road, as people head out on trips and to family get-togethers,” Hamilton said.
“And that’s exactly when slowing down matters the most. A few minutes isn’t worth the risk.”
Alberta RCMP has separately said officers will conduct targeted traffic enforcement across the province during the Heritage Day long weekend.
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