A Traffic Crisis and a Community Opportunity
Acknowledging Progress: Turning 300+ Traffic Calming Requests Into Action for Safer Streets and Stronger Neighbourhoods
By Bryan Wilson, Candidate for SJ Council Ward 3
Saint John is in the midst of a traffic crisis that is simply unacceptable. Every day, residents face unsafe streets - with cars speeding through our neighbourhoods, and unsafe driving - putting our children and families at risk. Over 2,000 vehicle crashes occur annually, and complaints about speeding have tripled since 2020.
At the same time, more than 300 requests for traffic calming sit unresolved—a stark reminder of how much work remains to make our city safe for the people who live here. These requests represent Saint Johners who care deeply about their neighbourhoods and have gone out of their way to demand action. Most importantly, this backlog represents a critical opportunity to improve the quality of life for people across our city.
“Like you, I’m a driver...We live in a province that hasn’t invested in transportation infrastructure to provide most people with reasonable alternatives.”
But let’s be clear: this isn’t about hating cars or denying their value. Like you, I’m a driver. In New Brunswick, a car is a necessity for most of us. We live in a province that hasn’t invested in transportation infrastructure to provide most people with reasonable alternatives. Owning a vehicle is how we get from A to B, and I understand that reality because I live it, too.
However, that doesn’t mean our neighbourhoods should lose their freedoms, safety, and enjoyment to the free flow of vehicles. Cars don’t need priority citizenship on our streets—they just need to work within a system that puts people first.
This will be a priority if I am elected to City Council. Safer streets are essential to improving quality of life, keeping families in Saint John, and making our city a place where everyone feels welcome.
Why Traffic Calming Matters
Safety and quality of life.
Traffic calming involves street design that discourages speeding vehicles and improves safety for foot traffic. It’s about creating safer, quieter streets where children can play, seniors can walk, and families can thrive.
“Not all streets serve the same purpose, and good planning reflects that. We aren’t striking the right balance yet in Ward 3.”
Not all streets serve the same purpose, and good planning reflects that. Some streets, like Douglas Avenue, are at the heart of neighbourhoods and should prioritize the people who live there. Others, like Chesley Drive, are major traffic routes designed to keep vehicles moving efficiently. Recognizing and respecting these different roles is key to creating a balanced and functional city.
The problem is often exacerbated by drivers who don’t live in the neighbourhoods they disrupt. Visitors use our residential streets as shortcuts, putting convenience above the safety of Saint Johners.
Traffic calming isn’t about punishing drivers. It’s about protecting the people who live their lives in the neighbourhoods where we drive. By addressing this issue, we send a clear message: our city prioritizes the people who live here, by separating through traffic from foot traffic.
Measures like speed cushions, narrower streets, and lower speed limits ensure that our streets work for everyone—children walking to school, seniors enjoying a stroll, and families spending time together without fear of speeding vehicles.
When we prioritize traffic calming, we’re prioritizing the safety and quality of life for the people who live here—not just those passing through.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
In 2021 The city of Saint John had over 160 requests for Traffic Calming.
60 new requests came in the first 6 months 2021:
The current situation is untenable:
Over 300 unresolved traffic calming requests, with a peak of 550 in recent years.
Nearly 2,000 vehicle crashes annually, many in residential areas.
Complaints about speeding have tripled since 2020, highlighting growing frustration.
These are more than numbers—they’re stories of Saint Johners who feel unsafe and unheard. They’re parents worried about their kids, seniors afraid to cross the street, and families who want their neighbourhoods to feel like home again.
For 30 years, families have left Saint John searching for a better quality of life. Now, as new residents begin moving into the city, we have a golden opportunity to reverse that trend. But to succeed, we must address the safety of our streets head-on.
Progress Is Happening—But It’s Not Enough
Tim O’Reilly and city officials have taken steps toward traffic calming, introducing speed cushions and reducing speed limits in certain areas. But with 300+ unresolved requests and the ongoing risks residents face, it’s clear that the urgency doesn’t match the scale of the challenge.
Provinces that have adopted bold measures like automated enforcement have seen transformative results. In areas with red-light cameras, speeding violations dropped by 77%, and crashes decreased by 20% in just three years.
We can achieve similar results here in Saint John—if we treat traffic calming with the priority it deserves.
A Call to Action: Let’s Make This a Priority
Saint John kids in a neighbourhood and on infrastructure that belongs to them and their families.
Saint John’s streets are for everyone, not just for cars. Like you, I rely on my vehicle to navigate daily life. But I also believe our neighbourhoods shouldn’t pay the price for the convenience of speed and shortcuts. Cars get us from A to B—they don’t need to dictate how we live.
This isn’t just about cars—it’s about the residents who live here. It’s about creating a city where children can walk to school safely, where seniors can cross the street without fear, and where neighbourhoods are great places for kids to play.
If this crisis concerns you too, I want to hear from you. Together, we can demand safer streets to create a community that works for everyone; from ages 8 to 80. Hold Saint John to a higher standard. Please vote for me, Bryan Wilson, before December 9, and let’s make safer streets a reality for everyone who calls Saint John home.
Your voice matters. Your vote matters. Let’s make this change together.