Increase in summer highway traffic has southern Alberta officials urging caution, patience

More Canadians are choosing not to travel to the U.S., which has officials warning travellers to be patient with more vehicles expected on roads here.

As many hit the road for summer vacations, the Alberta Motor Association (AMA) is reminding drivers to be prepared.

“Make certain your vehicle is safe. Do a walk-around on it, check your fluids, check your tire levels, especially if you have a trailer,” said Dennis Porter, a supervisor with AMA’s drivers’ education.

On Friday, a steady stream of vehicles and RVs could be seen leaving Lethbridge on Highway 3 west of the city.

“Throughout the first six months of the year, we do know here at the Visitor Information Centre we’ve seen an increase in the number of people compared to last year,” said Erin Crane, Tourism Lethbridge CEO.

Crane says that number is only going to go up throughout the next two months.

Last year, Tourism Lethbridge saw 175,000 people from out of town attend events in the city.

In June, the federal government announced the Canada Strong Pass, which includes free admission into Canada’s national parks this summer.

But Crane says the incentive may actually draw tourists away from the parks and to smaller destinations with fewer crowds.

“This is a great opportunity for us here across the southern Alberta region,” explained Crane.

“We really are that alternative to some of those key areas like Waterton Lakes, Banff and Jasper.”

It’s not just Albertans hitting the road this summer.

Crane says the organization has seen an increase in Americans visiting Lethbridge over the past few months.

According to Statistics Canada, in May, return trips from the U.S. at land border crossings declined by 38.1 per cent compared to the year before.

“When we can attract people from the United States, that increases that visitor spending, and even more so if we can attract people from international markets,” said Crane.

However, the added traffic does come with an increased risk for travellers.

“The summer months, to be honest, those are usually where there are more fatalities on the roads,” said Porter.

According to the Alberta government, 297 people died on Alberta’s highways in 2023.

Porter says the most proactive thing drivers can do this summer is to be patient on the roads.

“When you’re relaxed about your time and you know you’re not rushed, you’ll have a tendency to be a little bit safer,” he said.