New study paving the way for safer roads in Lethbridge.

The City of Lethbridge Transportation department is undertaking a comprehensive road safety project with a focus on addressing the leading causes of road collisions and fatalities, particularly for vulnerable road users.

The goal of this project is to decrease vehicle related fatalities, injuries and collisions in Lethbridge with a targeted communications and outreach approach. The project’s scope includes:  

• Understanding and shifting the local culture around road safety and risky behaviors.   
• Developing year-long materials and campaigns to increase awareness about road safety.  
• Complete School Travel Plans at all elementary schools in Lethbridge.

“Unsafe driving occurs for many reasons. Lack of awareness, bad habits, social pressures, or convenience can often influence decisions people make behind the wheel,” says Ahmed Ali, Traffic Engineer & Transportation Planner. “With the input and participation from local schools, community organizations and experts, this project takes a more wholistic approach to driving change in Lethbridge.”  

Municipalities across the country will be able to reuse all campaign materials and guides created during the project. The information will contribute to the overall transportation industry’s understanding of road safety. The project is scheduled to conclude at the end of 2025 and the outcomes will be shared publicly in both English and French.

School travel planning is underway at elementary schools this spring.

The community may see City and consulting staff making site observations around school perimeters, at bus and parent drop-off zones, and nearby cross walks. Individual schools can provide direct input into this process, but other community members can also report road safety issues around a school by visiting the project page.

Community traffic safety survey begins May 15.

“A valid survey is an important step in understanding the culture of road safety in Lethbridge” says Ali. “The results will help in the design of targeted campaigns and give us a tool to gauge if the campaigns are making a positive impact over time.”

A randomized telephone survey will be conducted starting May 15, targeting residents aged 18 and older. Youth responses, ages 16 – 18 will also be collected by phone, and primarily through an online link shared with high school students in Lethbridge. The survey sample will be representative of the city's demographics to ensure valid results and responses are anonymous. Only randomly selected individuals can participate in the survey. The survey questions will be on the topic of road safety attitudes, knowledge and behaviors.

For more information on this project, visit getinvolvedlethbridge.ca/roadsafety or call or chat online with 311.

For Public Inquiries:
Call or chat 311 | Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.