Every day, young people leaving Time Out Youth center face a dangerous journey. Without a proper sidewalk or crosswalk, they are required to cross a four-lane high-speed traffic area on Monroe Road to reach the nearest bus stop in Charlotte. This lack of infrastructure not only poses a threat to their safety but also to anyone trying to navigate this area on foot.

This issue is personal to me because I see these youth making this trek daily, putting their lives at risk due to the absence of essential pedestrian infrastructure. As a community, it’s our responsibility to ensure that everyone, especially our young people, can travel safely. The current situation demands urgent attention and action to prevent potential accidents or injuries.

To address this, we are calling on Charlotte Transit to install a well-marked crosswalk and construct safe sidewalks in front of Time Out Youth leading to the bus stop. According to the National Complete Streets Coalition, nearly 6,000 pedestrians lost their lives in traffic incidents in the US in 2017, a statistic that underscores the critical need for safe pedestrian pathways. Implementing sidewalks and crosswalks has been shown to dramatically reduce the risk of pedestrian accidents.

Moreover, a study by the Federal Highway Administration confirms that marked crosswalks across multi-lane roads like the one in front of our outreach center can reduce pedestrian crashes by 40% compared to unmarked crosswalks. Installing these safety measures would not only align with national safety strategies but demonstrate Charlotte’s commitment to protecting all its residents.

By signing this petition, you can help us urge Charlotte Transit and city officials to take the necessary steps to protect our community’s youth and all pedestrians. Together, we can make Charlotte's roads safer for everyone. Please sign this petition and help us make a change for the better. Let's prevent a tragedy before it happens, and give peace of mind to every parent, guardian, and member of our community who sends a child to the outreach center close by and Time Out Youth . Your support is crucial.