'That's not acceptable. That is not a normal part of city life': Druh Farrell on pedestrian collision numbers

'Last year in 2018, we had a total of six collisions that resulted in pedestrian fatalities': CPS

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – On average, there is one collision involving a pedestrian every day in the city of Calgary. Yet it’s difficult to get an exact number.

Even though hundreds of pedestrians are struck each year, it’s difficult to get a handle on the numbers.

Calgary police keep track of fatalities, but they don’t have a record of how many are injured.

“Last year in 2018, we had a total of six collisions that resulted in pedestrian fatalities. The last one was a double fatality that occurred on Christmas Eve,” said Sgt. Colin Foster with the traffic unit. ‘There’s always going to be those odd years, where we do have a spike for whatever reason. But there is nothing that made 2018 stand out to us as a particularly bad year for pedestrian crashes.”

Ward 7 Councillor Druh Farrell points to data from previous years suggesting on average, about one pedestrian is struck each day.

“That’s not acceptable. That is not a normal part of city life. We must do everything we can to change that outcome.”

She noted not every incident is reported but her focus is making it safer for pedestrians, including a proposal to lower speed limits in some places.

“We’re reviewing the idea of reducing the speed limit on residential streets. The work is underway right now studying the possibility.”

On top of that, she says there are more traffic-calming measures in place.

She points to the city’s pedestrian plan introduced back in 2016 and said the city is doing what it can to improve safety.

“One is to design our new communities better so that we have improved pedestrian safety right from the beginning, the other is to retrofit, over time, areas that are particular hot spots.”

She noted much of that plan is still unfunded.