A groundbreaking national study using artificial intelligence and 360-degree cameras has revealed that pedestrians and cyclists are narrowly avoiding life-threatening collisions at intersections across Canada—every single day.
Conducted by the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) and tech partner Miovision, the study analyzed 20 busy intersections in 20 cities over a seven-month period. In Ottawa, researchers focused on the intersection of Merivale Road and Viewmount Drive, nominated by the city for its heavy traffic volume.
Across all locations, the study recorded a staggering 616,854 near-misses. One in every 770 pedestrians and one in every 500 cyclists came dangerously close to a collision, most often with vehicles turning right. More than half of pedestrians and cyclists involved in these close calls had encounters with right-turning vehicles, while over a third were nearly struck by vehicles turning left.
“These are not rare, isolated events,” said Julie Beun, managing director of communications for CAA North & East Ontario. “They’re daily occurrences that could easily end in tragedy.”
To help cities prevent future incidents, the study also identified several intersection design improvements: separating right-turn lanes, giving pedestrians an early walk signal before vehicles move, and providing dedicated left-turn signals. Miovision’s Olivia Babcock emphasized the importance of acting on real-time data. “We’re helping cities identify risks before someone gets hurt,” she said. “This technology allows for faster, smarter safety upgrades.”
The data was collected in seven provinces—ranging from Nova Scotia to British Columbia—using AI video analytics that assessed risk levels based on vehicle speed and path.
CAA is urging drivers to take extra care at intersections: slow down when turning, check blind spots, yield to pedestrians, and scan for cyclists who may be approaching from the side. Pedestrians and cyclists are also encouraged to stay visible, obey signals, avoid distractions, and make eye contact with drivers before crossing.
As Canadian cities grow and traffic volumes rise, the findings serve as a critical wake-up call: without changes to intersection design and driver behavior, the risks will only grow.