Ottawa traffic deaths reach 32 in 2026, highest in a decade
Ottawa police have increased enforcement across the city after 32 people died in traffic-related incidents in 2026, more than in any year in the past decade.
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The Ottawa Citizen reported on November 7 that 32 people have died in traffic-related incidents in Ottawa so far in 2026, including 11 pedestrians. That is more deaths than in any full year in the past decade; the 2025 total for the whole year was 23.
Ottawa Police have been stepping up enforcement. Officers issued 32 per cent more tickets and warnings so far in 2026, the Ottawa Citizen said, including over 700 impaired driving charges. On November 5, police deployed more than 20 officers at once to the South District for a traffic blitz. The usual enforcement team for that entire district is six officers and a sergeant.
Where police have focused
The South District covers Barrhaven, Riverside South, Findlay Creek, Osgoode, Richmond and Manotick. Police say it has seen a rise in dangerous driving, with a road network that includes fast rural roads, suburban streets and school zones close together.
Specific problems officers have cited include drivers blowing through stop signs at busy intersections, speeding on roads such as Strandherd Drive and Limebank Road, and stunt driving.
Speed cameras were removed from Ottawa roads about a year ago. Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and councillors who sit on the Ottawa Police Services Board, including Steve Desroches, have called on drivers to slow down. At a recent Police Services Board meeting, Chief Eric Stubbs said removing the cameras made enforcement harder. Officers now have to cover intersections and school zones that cameras monitored before.
What residents can do
Ottawa Police are asking residents to report dangerous intersections and roads in their neighbourhoods.
You can call the OPS non-urgent line: 613-236-1222, ext. 7300. You can also submit a report through the Traffic Complaints portal on the Ottawa Police Service website. Reports help police decide where to send officers for enforcement.
The Ottawa Police Service website also has information on road safety programs and how to follow enforcement activity in your area at /on/ottawa-2026/tracker.
Questions this story answers
How many people have died in traffic incidents in Ottawa in 2026?
The Ottawa Citizen reported on November 7, 2026, that 32 people have died in traffic-related incidents in Ottawa so far in 2026, including 11 pedestrians. The report described this as the highest number in a decade. The 2025 full-year total was 23 deaths.
What has Ottawa Police done in response to the rise in traffic deaths?
Ottawa Police have increased enforcement across the city. The Ottawa Citizen reported that officers issued 32 per cent more tickets and warnings so far in 2026 compared to the same period in past years, including over 700 impaired driving charges. On November 5, more than 20 officers were deployed at once in the South District for a traffic blitz, compared to the usual team of six officers and a sergeant.
What areas of Ottawa have seen the most dangerous driving?
The Ottawa Citizen reported that the South District, which covers Barrhaven, Riverside South, Findlay Creek, Osgoode, Richmond and Manotick, has been identified by police as an area with serious road safety problems. Officers say the rapid growth of that area, with ongoing construction and a mix of rural roads and suburban streets, has contributed to the problem.
What happened to Ottawa's speed cameras, and how does that affect enforcement?
Speed cameras were removed from Ottawa roads about a year ago. The Ottawa Citizen reported that Police Chief Eric Stubbs told the Ottawa Police Services Board that removing the cameras made enforcement harder, leaving officers to cover intersections and school zones that cameras once monitored automatically.
What can Ottawa residents do to help address dangerous driving in their neighbourhood?
Ottawa Police are asking residents to call the OPS non-urgent line at 613-236-1222, ext. 7300, or submit a report through the Traffic Complaints portal on the Ottawa Police Service website, to flag intersections where they regularly see dangerous driving. Reports from the public help police decide where to send enforcement teams.
Who is responsible for road safety decisions in Ottawa?
Road safety in Ottawa is primarily the responsibility of the Ottawa Police Service and Ottawa City Council. Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and councillors such as Steve Desroches, who sits on the Ottawa Police Service Board, have called on drivers to slow down. You can read about Mayor Sutcliffe at /on/ottawa-2026/candidates/mark-sutcliffe.
How does the 2026 traffic death toll compare to previous years in Ottawa?
The Ottawa Citizen reported on November 7, 2026 that 32 deaths so far in 2026 is the highest figure in more than a decade. The full-year 2025 total was 23 deaths. The Ottawa Citizen article does not provide figures for years before 2025, but described 2026 as the deadliest year in a decade.
What is the Ottawa Police Services Board and when does it meet?
The Ottawa Police Services Board oversees the Ottawa Police Service and reviews major decisions such as the annual budget. It includes city councillors and provincially appointed members. You can follow Council and Police Board activity at /on/ottawa-2026/tracker.
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