A significant rise in pedestrian deaths across America has created a public safety crisis, with new data showing pedestrian fatalities have increased 48% since 2014.

According to a new study by Bader Law, this alarming trend is driven by two primary factors: an increasing number of speeding vehicles and the growing popularity of larger vehicles with dangerous high front-end designs.

Despite a slight decrease from 2023, drivers still killed 3,304 pedestrians during the first half of 2024 — more than 1,000 additional deaths compared to the same period in 2014.

Speed and Size Create a Deadly Mix

The research reveals how vehicle speed dramatically increases the risk to pedestrians:

• At 24 km/h, pedestrians face a 10% chance of serious injury.
• At 35 km/h, that risk jumps to 50% for moderate-to-fatal injuries.
• At 68 km/h, there is a 50% likelihood of death upon impact.

Vehicle size further compounds this danger. SUVs and pickup trucks are up to three times more likely to kill pedestrians than smaller passenger vehicles. This is primarily because their high hoods strike the torso, above the center of gravity, often throwing victims forward into the path of the vehicle.

This issue is magnified by the rapid growth in large vehicle sales: by 2022, SUVs, vans, and pickups accounted for 79% of new vehicle sales in the U.S., up from just 50% a decade earlier.

States with the Highest Pedestrian Death Rates

Several states stand out for having exceptionally high pedestrian fatality rates (per 100,000 residents):

• New Mexico – 2.07
• Mississippi – 1.94
• Nevada – 1.90
• District of Columbia – 1.85
• Arizona – 1.74
• Florida & Louisiana – 1.57
• South Carolina – 1.44
• Alabama – 1.32
• Delaware & North Carolina – 1.24

States with major year-over-year increases from 2023 to 2024 include:

• Nebraska – +150%
• Connecticut – +56.5%
• Missouri – +46.1%

States with the Lowest Pedestrian Death Rates

Conversely, these states recorded the lowest fatality rates:

• Montana – 0.18
• Idaho – 0.20
• New Hampshire – 0.21
• North Dakota – 0.25
• Rhode Island – 0.27
• Maine & Minnesota – 0.28
• South Dakota – 0.32
• Utah – 0.37
• West Virginia – 0.40
• Vermont & Iowa – 0.46

Some of these states also saw major year-over-year improvements in 2024:

• Montana – down 71.4%
• New Hampshire – down 66.7%
• Idaho – down 55.6%

Solutions to the Pedestrian Safety Crisis

Experts point to a number of safety interventions to curb fatalities:

• Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): Reduces crashes by 27% and serious injuries by up to 87% by automatically braking when a collision is imminent.
• Lower speed limits in pedestrian-heavy zones.
• Traffic calming measures like speed humps, curb extensions, and raised crosswalks.

“Every day, 18 people don’t return home after taking a walk. That’s unacceptable,” said Jonathan Adkins, CEO of the Governors Highway Safety Association.

The Urgent Need for Change

The study underscores that larger vehicles traveling at high speeds present the greatest threat to pedestrians. While the national pedestrian fatality rate now stands at 0.97 deaths per 100,000, it remains substantially higher than a decade ago.

In 2022, speeding was involved in 29% of all traffic deaths, contributing to 12,151 fatalities an average of 33 people per day.

Without decisive action on vehicle design, speed control, and urban infrastructure, the crisis on American roads will persist and more lives will be lost unnecessarily.

Remote work won the office debate, but as companies adjust to the new normal, three hybrid work questions seem to leave managers at bay. Through my experience with over 12 organizations, chaos is a common situation. So, let’s try to solve these challenges one at a time.

Separate the Border: Remote vs. Those At Office

The Proximity Bias Problem

During my consultation with a tech startup last year, their remote staff felt like no one was paying attention to them. The company’s leadership heavily interacted with the office staff over coffee breaks and hallway gossip. Solutions that actually work:

• Set “everyone works virtually” days weekly and employ “no-meeting Wednesdays” with no assigned meetings.
• Enforce remote work using standardized performance metrics. Observation is not a metric.
• Allow teams to rotate face time/office days.

Controlio software is an example of tech that helps remote workers. It enables managers to uniformly assess their productivity and performance with objective data, using monitoring software for employees.

Articles of the Layers of a Hybrid Workforce

Which Technology Will Best Support Your Hybrid Work Model?

Every virtual office comes with three essentials. Using ineffective tools will lead to stress. The right tools, however, make the hybrid work system flow:

A Communication Center

• Slack as the chat
• Zoom for meetings with etiquette training on the use of “virtual background” features.

A Space for Collaboration

• Usage of Miro as a digital whiteboard
• Documentation done on Notion

Productivity Monitoring

• Finding the right software, like Controlio software, which helps monitor productivity without micromanaging or infringing on freedoms.

Pro Tip: From offering resources, the best tools are those that can adapt and sync with one another, offering many functions such as reduction of app overload.

How Do We Preserve Company Culture in a Hybrid World?

Culture is Often Misconstrued As Just The Available Recreational Facilities

One time a client raised his complaint, wanting to know why their culture was dying—then we discovered they were trying to recreate 2019 office life in 2025. Modern culture fixes:

• Virtual co-working sessions, which are silent work on desktop video
• Purposeful quarterly all-hands in-person retreats (not silos)
• “Culture champions” who design and execute remote-friendly activities.

My Favorite: One organization engaged with employees and saw engagement scores increase by 35% after replacing mandatory company-wide happy hours celebrating the end of the week with optional “skill share” sessions where people could share their skills like Excel or sourdough baking.

Bonus: The Hybrid Work Policy Every Company Needs

Analyzing countless policies, here are the checklist items that stood out for exceptional policies:

• Defined core hours versus flexible hours
• Stipends for home office furniture and equipment
• Rules about inclusivity regarding meeting recordings
• Use of monitoring software transparency

Example: Marketing companies track productivity via Controlio software and leverage the patterns to enhance workflows rather than penalize workers.

The Future of Hybrid Work

What to expect in the future:

• Selling or renting desk space on a flexible monthly basis.
• AI assistants that schedule the best in-house attendance days for given projects.
• “Office seasons” where teams physically sync presence quarterly for intensive work sprints.
• Greater emphasis on outcomes rather than hours spent “working.”

My prediction: Companies treating hybrid work as an opportunity rather than a compromise will benefit the most.

Positioning Towards: Making Hybrid Work… Work

It’s not all perfect, but it is here, so the hybrid approach has been adopted widely. Investments in proper resources alongside an equity-focused culture, tools, and restructuring enhance the possibilities of thriving diverse workforces.

Next Steps:

1. Check for fairness gaps in your existing hybrid policy
2. Review the resources available to upgrade your tech stack
3. Set up a meeting with the team focused on culture needs

What part of a hybrid work environment do you struggle with the most? I’m looking forward to reading each and every one of your comments!

P.S. To begin formulating a hybrid work policy, check out my free template [here].

Fort Saskatchewan may be a bustling hub of businesses in Alberta, but like any thriving city, staying ahead means keeping your company running smoothly. Today, technology is at the heart of every successful business, whether you’re a small startup or a well-established enterprise. And when technology plays such a critical role in your operations, reliable and expert IT support becomes a necessity—not a luxury. 

From improving efficiency to safeguarding sensitive data, having the right IT partner can mean the difference between growth and stagnation. Here’s why businesses in Fort Saskatchewan must prioritize expert IT support. 

1. Optimized Business Operations 

Running a business in Fort Saskatchewan comes with its own unique challenges. Whether you’re managing inventory, handling clients, or coordinating logistics, technology increases efficiency at every stage. However, even small glitches in your IT systems can disrupt daily operations. 

Expert IT support ensures that all your systems—hardware, software, and networks—are optimized and functioning smoothly. By proactively monitoring your IT infrastructure, support teams can identify and resolve potential issues before they escalate into costly downtime.

2. Protection Against Cybersecurity Threats 

Cybersecurity threats are an ever-present risk for businesses of all sizes. Unfortunately, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) assume they aren’t big enough to attract hackers—which couldn’t be further from the truth. Cybercriminals often target SMEs precisely because they underestimate this risk and lack robust security measures. 

When you partner with an IT support team, you’ll have access to the latest cybersecurity solutions. Services like firewalls, anti-virus software, regular system patching, and staff training can safeguard your data and reduce your risk of cyberattacks. 

3. Support Local Regulations and Compliance 

Operating a business in Canada, and specifically Alberta, means complying with local and national data regulations. Whether you’re dealing with customer information, employee records, or financial data, there’s a responsibility to handle it safely and in line with legal standards. Non-compliance with data protection regulations like PIPEDA (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act) can lead to fines and damage to your reputation. 

An expert IT service provider can guide your business through compliance requirements, ensuring your systems and data management practices align with these obligations. They’ll help you securely store, process, and back up data while providing audits and documentation to prove regulatory adherence. 

4. Tailored IT Solutions for Growing Businesses 

Fort Saskatchewan is a growing business community. Whether you’re part of the industrial sector, retail, professional services, or hospitality, your IT needs will evolve as you scale. Generic IT services aren’t built for growth—their solutions often stagnate with your business. 

Expert IT support, on the other hand, provides customized solutions designed specifically for your industry, size, and goals. Whether you’re transitioning to cloud-based platforms, upgrading your hardware, or managing remote teams, IT professionals create a future-ready strategy to support your business’s growth. 

5. Cost-Efficiency 

Hiring full-time, in-house IT specialists can be costly. Salaries, benefits, training, and tools add up quickly—particularly for small businesses. Outsourcing IT support provides access to the same level of expertise, minus the significant overhead costs. 

With expert IT support, you’re not just paying for a quick fix when something goes wrong. You’re investing in ongoing maintenance, expert advice, and reliable solutions that save you time and money in the long run. 

6. 24/7 Support to Minimize Downtime 

When a server crashes or your systems go offline after hours, how quickly can you recover? Downtime—whether it’s for minutes, hours, or days—can cost your business valuable opportunities. 

Many IT support providers offer 24/7 assistance, ensuring there’s always help when you need it most. By turning to a trusted team that provides emergency support, you can significantly reduce downtime and maintain your business continuity. 

Expert IT Support Builds a Stronger Business Foundation 

Fort Saskatchewan is home to ambitious businesses looking to grow and thrive. Amid this competitive environment, partnering with an expert IT support provider helps you stay ahead—whether by improving daily operations, protecting your data, or scaling your systems as you expand. 

The right IT support is more than just a safety net; it’s a growth enabler. To find the perfect IT solutions for your business, talk to seasoned professionals ready to take your technology to the next level.