My name is joanne tarvit, and I'm reaching out to you with a heavy heart. My son was tragically killed on a road where vehicles speed past at 60mph—an astonishing speed for a narrow path devoid of sidewalks and safety features. There is no safe pathway for pedestrians and certainly no proper provisions for motorbike riders. At 60mph, drivers can hardly react safely, and the chance of further accidents is alarmingly high. 

This road, located on the lower from tonge to teynham is a daily hazard where families like mine fear for their lives. Without any slowdown signs or speed bumps to caution drivers, we are compelled to cross our fingers every time we—or our loved ones—step foot on this perilous road. We need to act now to prevent further loss and suffering. 

The absence of basic safety measures like speed bumps and signage is shocking and unacceptable. By reducing the speed limit from 60mph to 30mph, we can create a safer environment for everyone. It's a change that could save countless lives and avoid another heart-wrenching tragedy like the one my family has endured. 

Authorities in charge of road safety, I urge you to reconsider the existing speed limit. Implement safety measures that cater not only to drivers but also to pedestrians and cyclists. 

Let's make our roads safer by acting together. Your support can make this happen. Sign this petition and help us protect our community from further risk.
The Issue
On a tragic day, my 17-year-old son lost his life on a road where the speed limit is set at a perilous 60mph. This road, which does not even have a pathway for pedestrians, is not just risky but an evident danger to everyone who uses it. It is impossible to stay safe—whether you are a walker, cyclist, or driver—as the lack of pathways combined with high-speed traffic creates a hazardous environment. 

My son was taken from us too soon, and no one should ever have to endure the pain of losing a loved one due to preventable circumstances. Speed limits are crucial in ensuring public safety and should reflect the realities of the road conditions and the actual use by commuters. In this particular case, it is clear that the high speed limit of 60mph is not only inappropriate but also deadly. Lowering it to 30mph would make a significant difference in enhancing safety and preventing further tragedies. 

According to numerous studies, reducing vehicle speeds not only decreases the likelihood of accidents but significantly lowers fatality rates when collisions do occur. For example, the European Transport Safety Council reports that a 1% reduction in average speed results in a 4% decrease in fatal crashes. It’s these statistics that remind us of the critical need to reconsider and reduce existing speed limits on roads like the one that took my son's life. 

We urge local authorities and traffic regulators to prioritize human life and safety. Implementing a speed limit reduction will reflect a commitment to protect our community members and ensure safer passage for everyone who traverses this hazardous road. In addition to the speed limit change, investing in pedestrian pathways and enhanced road safety measures can save lives. 

I implore everyone to support this cause—not just for my son, but for every family who shouldn’t have to face such a devastating loss. Sign the petition to demand immediate action in reducing the speed limit from 60mph to 30mph, and let our voices be the driving force behind creating safer roads for all.