Establish a School Zone for Explore Academy in Rio Rancho
The Issue
Sign this petition to support the establishment of a school zone for Explore Academy Rio Rancho, a public charter school of Rio Rancho, New Mexico!
Traffic safety concerns are personal to me, because every day I worry for the safety of hundreds of students & their families at Explore Academy, due to the lack of a designated school zones on a dangerous stretch of Highway 528 (Pat D’Arco Hwy) at the crossroads of Zenith Court. The speed limit of 55 MPH is far too high, putting our children, & everyone else on the road, at serious risk while traffic jams back up down the stretch of the highway to the next busy intersection.
Explore Academy is located right off one of Rio Rancho's busiest highways with a reputation for & history of serious traffic accidents. With the school population growing (3 campuses), the addition of yet another school (RioTech), pre-existing local businesses, AND ongoing construction of current & new buildings, the morning & afternoon traffic jams are getting worse, exacerbating the dangers for students, parents, & the community in general. Trying to enter or exit the school premises is becoming increasingly problematic. Drivers simply do not know what to do, & it’s not a reach to call it chaos. This congestion could be fatal, as drivers struggle to manage the chaos, increasing the likelihood of accidents!
Without a school zone, there is no reduction in speed limits, nor warning signs to alert motorists of children crossing. A reduced speed limit during school hours will significantly decrease the risk of accidents & potential injuries. Other important steps could also be taken by the city as well, with the addition of lanes or traffic lights to ensure better flow of traffic resulting in increased public safety.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), school zones have been proven to reduce single-vehicle crashes by up to 40% & multiple-vehicle accidents by as much as 30%!!! These statistics make a compelling case for creating a safer environment around the school premises. Other schools in New Mexico benefit from designated school zones; it’s time we ensure the same safety measures for Explore Academy!
We appeal to the City of Rio Rancho, the County of Bernalillo, NM Department of Tramsportation to take swift action, & implement a school zone with appropriate signage, marking, & speed reductions. It's a simple yet effective measure that could prevent a tragedy. By prioritizing student safety, we would not only be safeguarding the lives of children but also ensuring peace of mind for their families. Join us in urging the local government to address this critical safety issue. Help protect our kids & the community.
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The Issue
Sign this petition to support the establishment of a school zone for Explore Academy Rio Rancho, a public charter school of Rio Rancho, New Mexico!
Traffic safety concerns are personal to me, because every day I worry for the safety of hundreds of students & their families at Explore Academy, due to the lack of a designated school zones on a dangerous stretch of Highway 528 (Pat D’Arco Hwy) at the crossroads of Zenith Court. The speed limit of 55 MPH is far too high, putting our children, & everyone else on the road, at serious risk while traffic jams back up down the stretch of the highway to the next busy intersection.
Explore Academy is located right off one of Rio Rancho's busiest highways with a reputation for & history of serious traffic accidents. With the school population growing (3 campuses), the addition of yet another school (RioTech), pre-existing local businesses, AND ongoing construction of current & new buildings, the morning & afternoon traffic jams are getting worse, exacerbating the dangers for students, parents, & the community in general. Trying to enter or exit the school premises is becoming increasingly problematic. Drivers simply do not know what to do, & it’s not a reach to call it chaos. This congestion could be fatal, as drivers struggle to manage the chaos, increasing the likelihood of accidents!
Without a school zone, there is no reduction in speed limits, nor warning signs to alert motorists of children crossing. A reduced speed limit during school hours will significantly decrease the risk of accidents & potential injuries. Other important steps could also be taken by the city as well, with the addition of lanes or traffic lights to ensure better flow of traffic resulting in increased public safety.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), school zones have been proven to reduce single-vehicle crashes by up to 40% & multiple-vehicle accidents by as much as 30%!!! These statistics make a compelling case for creating a safer environment around the school premises. Other schools in New Mexico benefit from designated school zones; it’s time we ensure the same safety measures for Explore Academy!
We appeal to the City of Rio Rancho, the County of Bernalillo, NM Department of Tramsportation to take swift action, & implement a school zone with appropriate signage, marking, & speed reductions. It's a simple yet effective measure that could prevent a tragedy. By prioritizing student safety, we would not only be safeguarding the lives of children but also ensuring peace of mind for their families. Join us in urging the local government to address this critical safety issue. Help protect our kids & the community.
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Petition created on August 5, 2026