The aftermath of a deadly crash Tuesday night has Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack renewing his calls to the province to allow speed cameras at busy intersections. “It had a real, tangible improvement in safety. It helps reduce serious collisions. It helps reduce fatalities,” he told CTV News Edmonton on Thursday. “To not have that tool means that no matter what we do with police, it’s just not going to be enough to do the enforcement that’s needed across the entirety of our city.” His response comes after police say the drivers of a BMW and a motorcycle were racing along 97 Street just before 9 p.m. on Tuesday before a crash that killed a 21-year-old man and left a man, woman and baby in hospital. The 18-year-old rider hit a curb and slammed into a group of people waiting at a bus stop around 120 Avenue, police said. The roads in question used to feature speed traps. They were removed last year when the province got rid of all the speed-on-green cameras in the city, saying they were a cash grab. Red light cameras are still permitted. Mae Lim, who operates a nearby dayhome, says crashes aren’t an uncommon sight in the 97 Street area as it’s a busy road. Speed on 97 Street last made headlines in November 2025 after a woman was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after being hit by a speeding driver. Knack says removing the cameras absolved consequences for speeding vehicles, and “people almost feel emboldened to break the law.” The city says it wants provincial exemption for eight of its busiest intersections. Knack says the city made its request in November 2025. The province, he added, is still considering the request. Until then, Knack hopes drivers take note and slow down, as municipalities don’t have the power to create their own traffic safety enforcement teams. “A person has lost their lives, a baby is hanging on to dear life right now. It’s unacceptable. We have to make sure these folks are held accountable to the full extent of the law,” he said. Eighteen-year-old Kaeden Piccolo is charged with dangerous operation causing death and three counts of dangerous operation causing bodily harm. Police are still looking for the driver of the BMW. With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Nahreman Issa
