People using a pedestrian crossing at a neighbourhood intersection.

Vancouver renews commitment to eliminate traffic deaths

June 10 2026 –

Vancouver City Council has approved a Vision Zero Safe Mobility Plan (3.5 MB), setting a goal to reduce traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries on Vancouver streets by at least five per cent each year, on the way to zero before 2050.

“Safe streets are fundamental to a safe city. With Council’s support, we’re making safety a priority for everyone who walks, bikes, rolls, takes transit, or drives in Vancouver,” said Mayor Ken Sim.

The plan follows the internationally recognized “safe systems” approach and aligns Vancouver with regional and provincial road safety targets.

The plan will guide City work to improve road safety through data-informed, targeted actions at locations where the risk of serious injury or death is highest.

Council also directed staff to ensure implementation of the plan reflects a balanced approach that advances transportation safety while supporting mobility, reducing congestion, and maintaining the efficient movement of people, goods, transit and emergency services throughout Vancouver.

Staff will use collision and injury data to prioritize locations and choose the most effective solutions to deploy infrastructure changes to prevent future injuries or loss of life. The plan also engages an equity lens in safety improvements by prioritizing where risk and harm are highest, including people walking, biking or rolling, children and older adults.

Key actions will include:  

  • Continuing to address safety hotspots and corridors through proven safety measures such as leading pedestrian intervals, new or upgraded signals and advance turn signals. 
  • Updating the City’s design standards to reflect evolving best practices, considering measures such as improved intersection treatments and crosswalks that prioritize pedestrians and make them more visible.
  • Delivering a quick-build pilot to improve safety on Hastings Street in the Downtown Eastside, which is currently the highest pedestrian collision corridor in the province.

Background 

Between 2015 and 2024, more than 130 people lost their lives and over 90,000 people were injured in traffic crashes on Vancouver streets. While overall trends have improved, recent progress has slowed, underscoring the need for renewed action.

Crashes put enormous pressure on hospital emergency departments and other areas of the health care delivery system. For example, the Province-wide direct healthcare costs for transport injuries in 2019 were estimated at $526 million, or about $1.44 million per day.

The Vision Zero Safe Mobility Plan was developed following a July 2025 Council motion (641 KB) and shaped by extensive engagement with public health experts, emergency responders, advocacy organizations, regional and provincial partners, and transportation industry groups.

The plan builds on longstanding City policy, including the Transportation 2040 Plan, and aligns with TransLink’s Transport 2050  and the BC Road Safety Strategy 2025 .

Read more about the Vision Zero Safe Mobility Plan: (3.5 MB).