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<\/p>\nAs serious vehicular collisions and pedestrian fatalities continue to mount across Calgary, one city councillor is calling on the city to spend millions more on traffic calming and safety measures.<\/p>\n
Ward 8 Coun. Nathaniel Schmidt said he is bringing a notice of motion forward that would direct administration to allocate $6 million from the city\u2019s operating surplus to increase the number of rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs).<\/p>\n
While the city\u2019s 2024-28 safer mobility plan aims for a 25 per cent year-over-year reduction in serious traffic incidents by 2028, Schmidt argued Calgary is moving in the opposite direction.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re seeing another year of potentially record-level incidents that result in injuries or fatalities,\u201d he said Sunday. \u201cI think Calgarians are feeling the pressure of traffic safety and any time we can do something to prevent deaths that are entirely preventable, we need to be able to act to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Calgary has already experienced more than 10 fatal collisions in 2026 and is on track to potentially surpass last year\u2019s record number of 38 deaths on the city\u2019s roads, including 15 pedestrians.<\/p>\n
In 2024, the city reported 29 fatal collisions, 13 of whom were pedestrians. At the time, it was Calgary\u2019s highest number of road fatalities since 2013.<\/p>\n
Related<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s become urgent, and this is one way we can start to chip away at doing that and then with the budget coming up in November, that\u2019s going to be the next point where we can take action,\u201d Schmidt said.<\/p>\n
His notice of motion, which council\u2019s executive committee will consider on Tuesday, requests to allocate $6 million from the city\u2019s 2026 operating surplus to initiate a pilot project for strategic traffic safety improvements.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe chose that number (because we\u2019re) trying to tie it to what we see as the net revenue from traffic enforcement tickets,\u201d Schmidt said, adding the funding should be split evenly between Calgary\u2019s 14 wards.<\/p>\n
The additional funding, according to Schmidt, could expand the number of RRFBs, marked crosswalks, speed cushions, crosswalk bump-outs and curb extensions across the city, and could support more education initiatives.<\/p>\n
He also wants the city to compile a report by this September outlining the costs, benefits and outcomes of redirecting revenue from parking enforcement to expanding the city\u2019s five-year safer mobility plan.<\/p>\n
Multiple collisions involving pedestrians in recent days<\/p>\n
The growing number of collisions is a symptom of Calgary\u2019s growth, but also other factors, according to the first-time councillor.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re seeing increased traffic and different changes in how people are using our streets,\u201d Schmidt said. \u201cThe loss of photo radar is also a deterrent and means our ability to enforce at the street level has been diminished.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Ward 8 Coun. Nathaniel Schmidt at city hall in Calgary on Monday, March 23, 2026.<\/p>\n