Safe Streets for Our Kids and Everyone: A Neighborhood Traffic Safety and Management Strategy 

Here is my strategy for neighborhood traffic safety in East Gwillimbury!

Summary: Simply hoping for safer roads isn't enough. As a Professional Engineer and father of four, my traffic safety platform brings proactive solutions to Ward 2. From implementing real traffic calming tools (like speed humps and raised crosswalks) and safer school zones, to launching a free "Slow Down" lawn sign campaign and a local Road Watch program, I have a clear plan to protect our families. I already successfully secured the commitment for traffic signals at Leslie St. and Doane Rd—vote Shahab Aryan for Ward 2 to bring that same engineered leadership to Town Council!

As a father of four, nothing is more important to me than the safety of families like yours. As a Professional Engineer, public safety is my paramount concern. When our children are walking to school, riding their bikes, or playing outside, we deserve the peace of mind that comes with safe neighborhoods. However, as a transportation and municipal engineer with over 15 years of experience, I know that simply hoping for safer roads isn't enough—we have to actively contribute and advocate for them.

While the town is accountable for maintaining our roads and sidewalk infrastructure in accordance with established regulations and acts, keeping our communities safe is a shared responsibility. I will champion a platform that prioritizes proactive, family-first traffic measures and gives residents the suitable tools they need to participate, including:

• Safe Neighborhood Traffic Management Guideline: Utilizing professional traffic calming strategies to address speeding, excessive traffic volumes, and other safety concerns. This includes establishing clear procedures for residents, town staff, and the council to implement best practices. Whether initiating proactive measures or responding to a resident's specific traffic safety request, we will address these issues—on a single street or community-wide—by applying all available resources and tools. By implementing best practices, including bylaw regulations, advisory and regulatory signage, raised crosswalks, speed reductions, curb extensions, speed humps, speed cushions, and justified stop signs and traffic signals, we will ensure our roads, sidewalks, crosswalks, and intersections are safe and accessible to everyone, from strollers to seniors, while maintaining smooth traffic flow within our neighborhoods.

• Community Safety & School Zones: Implementing clear warrants for dedicated School and Community Safety Zones, including lower speed limits and crossing guards during the school season.

• "Slow Down / Kids at Play" Sign Campaign: In partnership with York Regional Police, York Region, and traffic safety associations and foundations, launching a free lawn sign program for residents to actively remind motorists to slow down in our residential areas during the summer.

• Empowering the Community: In partnership with York Regional Police, bringing the local Road Watch program to our area so residents have a confidential, effective way to report aggressive driving directly to the police. I will also advocate for adding Road Watch signage at the entrance roads to our communities.

• Modernizing Road Rules: Establishing sensible safety regulations for e-scooters, electric skateboards, and hoverboards so everyone can share our sidewalks and streets safely.

I have already successfully organized our community to push for critical upgrades, gathering hundreds of signatures to secure the commitment for traffic signals at the dangerous intersection of Leslie Street and Doane Road. I will bring that same results-driven advocacy to Town Council. Together, we can build a safer community for all of our families.

What are your thoughts, concerns, and ideas regarding neighborhood traffic safety?

Please share this post and discuss it with your neighbors to help build strong community advocacy. In East Gwillimbury, you elect two Ward 2 Councillors, giving you the power to shape our community's future. Make Shahab Aryan your absolute first choice to bring independent, engineered leadership to Town Council.