Building Safer Streets, One Neighbourhood at a Time

Last summer, my nephew and I were walking through the neighbourhood to grab a scoop of ice cream. He was three years old. When we reached a four-way stop, we scurried across the street and as we did, he said, “We need to go fast so we don’t get smushed!”

His words were innocent, but they carried a heavy truth. At just three years old, he already understood that crossing the street in our city isn’t always safe. Even our youngest residents recognize that our streets and crosswalks need improvement. We must approach things differently than we have in the past.

Every day, residents share stories about near-misses, speeding cars, and the anxiety they feel simply walking in their own neighbourhoods. Our communities deserve better. People deserve to feel safe walking along busy streets, crossing at crosswalks, or playing street hockey with their kids.

A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending the Secord Annual General Meeting. I’ve been attending AGMs across the city and have been encouraged by the community spirit and hope I see at each one.

Secord is home to a welcoming, passionate group of residents ready to step up for their community. One of the most consistent concerns that came up again and again was traffic safety. This community has done an incredible job advocating for improvements, resulting in measures like curb extensions and speed tables. I’ve been hearing similar concerns while door-knocking in neighbourhoods across Ward Nakota Isga as well.

So how can we, as a city, take a more proactive approach to traffic safety and truly support the residents who have been tirelessly advocating for safer streets? 

Here are a few ways we can start:

Prioritize Traffic Safety in Growing Neighbourhoods

If you’ve visited communities like Secord, Rosenthal, Big Lakes, or Lewis Estates, you’ve seen firsthand how quickly they’re growing. And with that growth comes increased traffic and new safety challenges. It’s time to stop playing catch-up and align infrastructure with development from the start.

It’s not just about building houses — it’s about delivering complete communities, with finished roads, clear signage, connected sidewalks and crosswalks, and thoughtful design that ensures safety and livability from day one.

Rethink Road Design for Safer Streets

Neighbourhood entrances and exits need stronger connections to handle growing traffic. But within our communities, the focus must be on slowing things down.

Traffic calming measures like curb extensions, speed bumps, and raised crosswalks make a real difference. These tools are proven to reduce speeding, improve safety, and increase accessibility for everyone. Yes, they might mean taking a corner more slowly, but that’s the point. When drivers are more cautious and follow speed limits, we reduce the risk of collisions and injuries on our roads.

Reduce Barriers to Traffic Calming

I deeply appreciate the advocacy from residents. Without their voices, it’s difficult to identify where the traffic safety issues are. They live with these challenges every day.

So how do we make it easier for communities to get the changes they need? How do we shorten timelines and cut through the red tape? The City has a strong Vision Zero strategy, but it hasn’t been fully implemented. There’s still work to do to make our streets safer for everyone.

Every week we delay is another week residents are at risk. This is a fix we can, and must, deliver.

Strengthen Accountability and Build Trust

Speeding isn’t just a design issue — it’s also a behavioural one. That’s why consistent, transparent, and community-informed enforcement is important. By clearly communicating where and how traffic rules are upheld, and ensuring enforcement focuses on education and equity, we can help shift driver behaviour and build public trust.

Diversify Our Transportation Options

Residents deserve choice. That’s fundamental to a functioning transportation system. By investing in reliable public transit, safe cycling infrastructure, and walkable communities, we give people more ways to get around. This reduces pressure on roads and helps ensure our long-term approach to traffic safety looks beyond cars, and plans for a city that works for everyone.

We all deserve to feel safe in our communities — not just sometimes, but every single day. Traffic safety is not a “wait and see” issue; it’s an urgent call to action. The evidence is clear: when we invest in smarter street design, streamline solutions, enforce rules fairly, and expand transportation options, we transform our neighbourhoods into safer, more livable places for everyone.

Whether we walk, bike, or drive, every person deserves to get home safely. Our streets should not be a source of fear or anxiety, but a space where communities connect and thrive.

It’s time to move beyond empty promises and slow progress. Let’s act decisively to protect our children, our families, and our neighbours. Waiting for tragedy to strike is no longer an option.

Safer streets start with all of us, and we must demand better, and refuse to settle for anything less. 

Learn more about my vision for Ward Nakota Isga at www.rajahmaggay.ca.