Recently, my family and neighbors have experienced something that has shaken us to our core and called us to action. Just last week, my four children and I, their grandparents, and another driver were nearly killed in a car accident right in our own driveway. By the grace of God, we were all protected - not a scratch on any one of us.

All could have been avoided if drivers on our road were in the habit of going the posted speed limit, which is 20 mph. Early Tuesday afternoon, I hopped in the van with my family to go the Hands On museum down the street. Moments later, a pick-up truck pulling a dump trailer lost control on the hill and curve just before our house. It slid off the road, doing a 180° spin, through my neighbor’s front yard, driveway, and mailbox, completely knocking over a telephone pole. The trailer jack-knifed, tipped, and became unattached from the truck. It landed on the back end of my van just inches from where my three oldest children were seated. My two year old sat just a row ahead of them, also on the side of impact. 

This is not an isolated incident; it's the third time within a year that a vehicle has slid off the road at this very spot. In His love and wisdom, God and his angels protected us - no one was hurt. But what about next time? 

Our roads need immediate intervention to prevent further accidents and potential fatalities. We, the undersigned, urge our leaders to act now by installing Traffic Calming Devices such as speed humps, raised crosswalks, bike lanes, traffic circles, anti-skid pavement, lowering the speed limit, and even providing an increased police presence.

According to the American Journal of Public Health, there is a 53-60% reduction in the odds of injury or death for children with traffic calming in their neighborhoods. Our lives are worth more than the convenience of speeding or budget constraints.

We cannot wait for another near miss or worse yet – a fatal accident before action is taken. The safety of our families and community members should be paramount above all else.

Please sign this petition today and help us call upon our leaders to take immediate action for safer roads in our community.