Imagine your loved one never coming home after a simple walk, jog, or bike ride because a hit-and-run driver left them for dead. Picture city officials failing to ensure pedestrian safety due to inadequate surveillance and understaffed law enforcement. This isn't just a nightmare, it's a daily reality. Hit-and-run drivers are killing pedestrians and escaping justice. We can and must do more to stop this. This fight is bigger than just one person - it's about protecting all our loved ones.

#StarrAlert #JusticeForPedestrians #StopHitAndRun

On August 21st, 2022, our family experienced an unimaginable tragedy. Our beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and friend Alexis "Starr" Hicks lost her life due to a hit-and-run incident in Norfolk, Virginia. Alexis was left lying in the street on the 800 block of W. Brambleton Ave near EVMS and Norfolk General Hospital. This heartbreaking loss has compelled us to take action and propose a new law called the Starr Alert.

The U.S. witnessed its highest number of pedestrian fatalities since 1981 last year, with a staggering 7,508 lives lost due to vehicle-related accidents (Governors Highway Safety Association). It is disheartening that these deaths are preventable and yet our nation continues to lag behind in improving road safety.

Dangerous driving practices, inadequate infrastructure, and the prevalence of larger and heavier vehicles all contribute to this alarming rise in pedestrian fatalities. We cannot stand idly by as more families suffer from such devastating losses.

The proposed law aims to address hit-and-run incidents by implementing the Starr Alert system. This system would send crucial data directly to auto body shops that offer paint and collision repair services whenever a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run accident requires repairs.

By providing this information promptly through the Starr Alert system, we can significantly increase the chances of identifying hit-and-run drivers swiftly. This will not only deter potential offenders but also ensure justice for victims like Alexis who deserve closure for their families.

We understand that implementing such legislation will require collaboration between lawmakers at both state and federal levels along with relevant authorities responsible for road safety regulations. However, we firmly believe that solutions are within reach if we prioritize this issue collectively.

It is time for our government officials to recognize the urgency of addressing pedestrian fatalities head-on by supporting initiatives like the Starr Alert system. We implore you to take immediate action and work towards implementing this law nationwide.

Together, we can make a difference and prevent more families from experiencing the heart-wrenching pain of losing a loved one in hit-and-run incidents. Let us honor Alexis "Starr" Hicks and all the victims by ensuring their lives were not lost in vain.

Sign this petition to support the implementation of the Starr Alert system and demand safer roads for pedestrians across the United States. Let us come together as a nation to protect our loved ones, promote road safety, and bring an end to these preventable tragedies.

#JusticeForAlexis #RoadSafetyNow