Ottawa’s police chief is urging drivers to slow down and pay attention while behind the wheel after a string of fatal collisions in the city. Eric Stubbs, chief of the Ottawa Police Service, says there have already been 30 fatal traffic-related incidents in city this year, surpassing 2025’s total of 23 fatalities. According to Stubbs, speed and distracted driving have been factors in many collisions. In addition to asking people to slow down, the police chief is urging them be mindful of changing road conditions. “It’s dark earlier in the evening. People are wearing black. People are going the same speed that they might go to work in when it’s light out,” he said. “It’s dark now, slow down, get off your phone, drive carefully, and get to work, get home safely.” Stubbs says the police force often sees an uptick in collisions this time of year, and right now the city is at the “peak of a cycle.” “We can stop that cycle, and everybody can contribute who’s interacting with traffic,” he said. “That’s drivers. That’s pedestrians. That’s people on bicycles. It’s people on e-scooters. Everybody needs to be very aware, slow down and be safe.” There have been several fatal collisions on Ottawa roads this fall, including two involving pedestrians this week. On Thursday, a 78-year-old woman died from her injuries after being struck by a vehicle in Sandy Hill. On Wednesday, a 60-year-old man was struck by a vehicle and killed in Barrhaven. Roads in Ottawa are getting busier due to growth in the city and public servants spending more time in office, but Stubbs says many people haven’t adjusted their expectations when it comes to traffic. “We have to adjust our mindsets,” he said. “When there’s more people on the road than we’re used to having in the last few years and that requires you to slow down, have patience. People are going to make mistake, people might upset you. Take a deep breath. You’re just trying to get to work.”
