Letter: Traffic bollards don’t seem to have the intended effect

As a resident of Robinson Drive in Greater Sudbury and a father of two young children, I have always been deeply concerned about road safety in our neighborhood. 

The recent installation of bollards to reduce speed on our street initially seemed like a promising solution to the problem of speeding vehicles. However, in practice, this measure has not only failed to achieve its intended purpose but has also introduced new hazards that jeopardize the safety of residents and pedestrians alike.

The primary goal of installing bollards is to slow down traffic and create a safer environment for everyone, especially for families with young children like mine. Unfortunately, my experience has shown that these bollards have not succeeded in reducing speed. Instead, they have transformed Robinson Drive into an obstacle course for drivers. The constant swerving and sudden maneuvers to navigate around the bollards have made the street more chaotic and unpredictable, increasing the risk of accidents rather than mitigating it.

Moreover, the presence of these bollards has led to a false sense of security. While they may give the impression of a controlled traffic flow, the reality is that drivers often become more focused on avoiding the obstacles rather than adhering to speed limits and watching out for pedestrians. This distraction is particularly concerning for families with young children who play or walk along the street, as drivers may not notice them in time to react appropriately.

In an email conversation with the city, it was revealed that the speed reduction on Robinson Drive when bollards were installed was a mere three km/h in both 2022 and 2023. To put that in perspective, the average speed reduction at other locations was only slightly higher at 3.5 km/h. These figures suggest that the impact of the bollards has been minimal at best. Moreover, the lack of significant speed reduction does little to alleviate my concerns about the safety of my children and other pedestrians in the neighborhood.

The city has indicated that these bollards are temporary traffic calming measures until more permanent solutions can be implemented. Robinson Drive is currently ranked fifth on the traffic calming final street ranking list to receive permanent traffic calming. While this offers some hope for the future, it does not address the immediate dangers posed by the current setup.

In my view, a more effective approach to ensuring road safety on Robinson Drive would involve a combination of measures that directly address the issue of speeding without creating additional hazards. For instance, painting bike lanes and adding stop signs could naturally slow down traffic while maintaining a consistent flow. Enhanced signage and increased enforcement of speed limits by local authorities would also help deter reckless driving behavior.

Community engagement is another crucial element in developing and implementing effective traffic-calming measures. Residents should be actively involved in discussions and decision-making processes to ensure that any solutions reflect the neighborhood's specific needs and concerns. By fostering a collaborative approach, we can develop strategies that truly enhance safety and improve the quality of life for all residents.

In conclusion, while the installation of bollards on Robinson Drive was well-intentioned, it has not delivered the desired results in terms of reducing speed and ensuring safety. Instead, it has created a more hazardous environment that puts residents, especially young children, at greater risk. It is imperative that the city reevaluates this approach and considers alternative solutions that genuinely address the issue of speeding while promoting a safe and harmonious community.

Justin Lemieux
Sudbury