In 2015, 374 poles were struck by Edmonton drivers, averaging more than one per day, according to collision statistics released by the City of Edmonton.
Other things (not including vehicles) hit by vehicles in 2015 include:
- 321 posts, signs, parking meters
- 208 curbs
- 183 trees, brush hedges
- 65 snow banks or snow drifts
- 44 buildings
- 41 fire hydrants
- 23 bus shelters
The 2015 collision statistics showed there were 25,517 collisions in Edmonton, which is up 3.6 per cent from 2014 when there were 24,627 collisions.
On average, 317 people are injured each month in collisions in Edmonton. That is the equivalent of nine full ETS buses per month.
“Every day we’re having somebody going to the hospital with a major injury that will keep them there for an extended period of time,” Gerry Shimko, executive director of the Office of Traffic Safety in Edmonton, said.
There were 30 fatal collisions in 2015, up 36 per cent from 22 in 2014.
READ MORE: Edmonton injury collisions and fatalities increase in 2015
What’s the cause of most collisions?
The most common cause of collisions was drivers following too closely; this made up 38.2 per cent of the incidents. The second most common cause was drivers hitting a parked vehicle. Improperly changing lanes made up 10.8 per cent of all collisions and turning left across the path of traffic made up seven per cent of collisions in 2015.
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Where do the most collisions happen?
The top three high-collision intersections in Edmonton in 2015 were:
- 107 Avenue NW and 142 Street NW (97 collisions)
- Yellowhead Trail NW and 149 Street NW (71 collisions)
- Yellowhead Trail NW and 127 Street NW (68 collisions)
READ MORE: Following too closely? Edmonton’s top 10 intersections for crashes
When do collisions happen?
According to the data, 57.4 per cent of collisions occurred between October and March. The top three collision months in Edmonton in 2015 were January, February and December.
Friday was the most common day of the week for collisions last year, accounting for 17.1 per cent of crashes. The least common day for crashes was Sunday. The city said there were fewer collisions on the weekends than on weekdays.
Collisions peak between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays and between noon and 1 p.m. on weekends.
“People may be less attentive, there are other things on their minds like planning for the evening or the weekend. So that seems to be reflected in the statistics,” Shimko said.
“Take your time. Get home safely. Enjoy the day, enjoy the weekend.”
Who’s to blame?
When it comes to who’s at fault in collisions, the data shows about one in 14.3 men aged 20 to 24 were involved in a collision where they were to blame. By comparison, one in 20.3 women in the same age group were at fault in a collision.
While males made up 53.4 per cent of licensed drivers in Edmonton in 2015, they were deemed at fault in 57.1 per cent of collisions.
READ MORE: Edmonton woman charged with careless driving following fatal collision
For more information on the 2015 collision statistics, visit the City of Edmonton’s website.
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