The City of Lethbridge is looking to make its streets, and especially intersections near schools safer. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

New study aims to make roads & intersections safer in Lethbridge

May 14, 2025 | 1:18 PM

The City of Lethbridge says its transportation department is hard at work making the streets safer.

It is part of its efforts under the Transportation Safety Plan to reduce the number of collisions involving fatalities and serious injuries to zero by 2040.

The scope of the project includes understanding and shifting the local culture around road safety, developing campaigns to increase awareness about road safety, and completing School Travel Plans at all elementary schools in the city.

Traffic Engineer and Transportation Planner Ahmed Ali says, while there are many reasons that unsafe driving occurs, the City is doing everything it can to mitigate that.

Lack of awareness, bad habits, social pressures, or convenience can often influence decisions people make behind the wheel,” says Ali. “With the input and participation from local schools, community organizations and experts, this project takes a more holistic approach to driving change in Lethbridge.”

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A major component of this initiative is School Travel Plans. They exist at many schools in Lethbridge already, but the City hopes to continue expanding that.

Meghan Calder, Principal at Our Lady of the Assumption School, says they provide guidance to students, parents, school staff and drivers on how people can get to and from school safely.

“[We’re] looking at major roadways, how can we ensure we have safe crossing sites? How can we make sure that our students and our families are talking about road safety? Those types of things,” says Calder.

Another significant aspect, says Ali, is understanding Lethbridge’s road culture. To help get a better understanding, the City has contracted a third party to conduct a phone survey.

The randomized survey will begin on Thursday, May 15, targeting all residents aged 18 and up, although input from 16-to-18-year-olds will also be included.

Calls to make Lethbridge’s streets, and in particular, major intersections safer, was highlighted earlier this year as there were three separate collisions involving pedestrians.

READ MORE: LPS urging traffic safety after recent pedestrian collisions

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