THE PROBLEM
Children walking to Ross St Elementary School and Woodbridge Middle School have to wait several minutes to cross a major 4-lane highway, only to be given a mere seconds to safely cross it. This traffic signal is misconfigured and jeopardizes the safety of the children and their parents.

Woodbridge Township officials acknowledged the issue but explained that the traffic light is not controlled by the Township and there isn't much that they can do besides informing the State DOT. While this may be the case, the safety of our children cannot be compromised by bureaucracy.

THE SOLUTION
Immediate action is needed to protect our community.

The traffic light phasing should be adjusted to provide children with more time to safely cross the road, while also reducing the lengthy wait times for a green light.

Our children deserve a safe route to school. By signing this petition, you are advocating for the urgent changes needed to ensure the safety of all pedestrians - especially our kids. Please sign this petition today.

 

Location of the intersection - Open in Google Maps

 

Students waiting to cross the road

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Won’t changing the traffic light cause traffic delays?
The goal is not to cause unnecessary delays for drivers but to create a balance that ensures pedestrians are safe, especially children of Woodbridge. With hundreds of students crossing daily, a few extra seconds to accommodate pedestrian safety is a small trade-off for preventing accidents or fatalities.
 
If crossing times aren’t sufficient for young children, we are prioritizing cars over lives. According to NHTSA, in 2022 alone, 7,522 pedestrians were killed nationwide. The goal isn’t to inconvenience drivers but to ensure that all road users, particularly our most vulnerable are safe.

 

There are crossing guards at schools. Why can’t they just manage the crossing?
Crossing guards provide essential safety, but they are not stationed at all times, and traffic signals should work properly regardless of whether a guard is present. Additionally, guards alone can’t control the timing of traffic signals, which need to be configured to provide adequate time for children and pedestrians to cross safely throughout the day.

If you’re a parent, the thought of your child navigating busy streets may cause you some anxiety. According to current statistics, that worry isn’t misguided. The number of Americans killed as pedestrians has reached the highest level in decades. One in 5 children ages 14 and under and 1 in 10 ages 15–19 that are killed in a motor vehicle crash are pedestrians. (IIHS-HLDI, NHTSA)

 

The light works fine most of the time. Isn’t this just an overreaction?
The light may function for cars, but the pedestrian signal is poorly timed and not conducive to safely crossing a busy road, especially for children. Waiting several minutes for a few seconds of crossing time is inadequate. Additionally, if the signal works "most" of the time, that still leaves times when it doesn’t, putting people at risk. We shouldn’t wait for an accident to occur before making necessary improvements.

If this light is controlled by the state, shouldn't the petition target state officials instead of local ones?
Both state and local authorities need to be engaged. While the traffic light may be state-controlled, local officials, have an essential role in advocating for the safety of their community. The purpose of this petition is to put pressure on all parties involved, both state and local, to ensure prompt action is taken.

 
There are many intersections in Woodbridge. Why focus on this one?
This intersection is particularly critical because it’s used by hundreds of children every day to get to and from school. While there are likely other intersections that also need attention, S Park Dr and Rt-35 directly impact schoolchildren, making it a priority. We must start with high-risk areas.

 
Isn’t it expensive and time-consuming to change traffic signals? Why not just teach kids to be more careful?
While educating children about road safety is important, infrastructure plays a vital role in preventing accidents. A properly functioning pedestrian signal with adequate crossing time is a basic safety measure, not a luxury. The cost of improving traffic signals is small compared to the cost of a single pedestrian injury or fatality. Investing in safety measures now can prevent long-term costs both financial and emotional.