By: Chris Naegel

Murder. Terrorism. Home invasions. These are the dangers that keep us up at night. But what if the deadliest threat in your community isn’t lurking in the shadows, but rather sitting in your driveway?

In 2023, 778 Canadians were killed by homicide. But during that same year, 1,964 people died in traffic collisions—more than twice as many. These deaths aren’t peaceful. They’re violent, traumatic, and often completely avoidable. Survivors are often left permanently disabled or with life-changing injuries.

These aren’t just statistics. They’re stories—like Constable Gillespie, killed on his way to work. Or the Neville-Lake family, torn apart by a drunk driver. Or the five people who died just last week in a crash with a semi-truck.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Safer infrastructure—street lighting, protected sidewalks, traffic calming—can drastically reduce road violence. Some cities, like Hoboken, NJ, have had zero traffic deaths in over seven years thanks to bold infrastructure changes.

Meanwhile, in Richmond Hill, efforts are too often rolled back. On Springbrook Drive, bollards were installed to slow drivers down. They worked—but residents pushed to have them removed because it made street parking inconvenient and discouraged speeding.

Car dependency isn’t just deadly—it’s limiting and expensive. Too young, old, poor, or differently abled to drive? You’re stranded. And the average Canadian spends over $15,000 per year on car ownership. That’s money we could be putting toward better things.

So why do we spend thousands of dollars to vacation in vibrant, walkable cities like Rome? Or enjoy pedestrian-friendly areas like Montreal, where streets are full of life—not cars. Even closer to home, Main Street Unionville in Markham shows how wonderful a people-first space can be.

Now compare that to downtown Richmond Hill. Here, the streets prioritize cars. Half the road is used for parking private property, and there’s little space for people. Cyclists cling to curbs without protection, hoping they’re not clipped by passing traffic.

But it doesn’t have to stay this way. Look at Hwy 7 & Leslie—once a car-dominated area. Thanks to transit investments and bike lanes (though still unprotected), it’s becoming more accessible and less car-dependent. Or take the Richmond Hill Centre transit hub near Yonge & High Tech—soon to be transformed into a transit-oriented community. When the subway extension reaches here, people will be able to walk to a station and commute downtown without ever needing a car.

Want a better future? Then we all need to take action.

Show up to city consultations. Join local groups like Strong Towns Richmond Hill, working to build a safer, more livable city. Demand action from your leaders.

How do you want to live? In a place where your family is one mistake away from tragedy—or a vibrant, walkable, and connected community?

The choice is yours. A better Richmond Hill starts with you.