On October 27, I was headed to Prairie Crest to pick up my son, his friend was in my backseat. We were driving east on 76th Avenue, passing Prairie High School, when a driver pulled out of the school entrance and hit us. It was 3:19 in the afternoon. There was a school bus in the eastbound turn lane waiting to turn into the high school. The bus was blocking the other driver’s view, and they pulled out anyways without seeing my vehicle.

I had someone else’s child in my car. We were on our way to get mine. 

Then on November 3, there was another accident in the same spot. A week later. It’s upsetting, and I’m frustrated and angry. Our kids drive through here. We drive through here to pick them up. We need to be able to see each other.

On October 7, the district sent out a notice about new “No Left Turn” signs at other campus exits. They talked about traffic getting backed up and blind spots putting people at risk. I’m happy they’re making changes at those locations, but what about the high school entrance?

I don’t know what the right fix is. Maybe it’s restrictions on turns, a roundabout, or changing the entrance itself. That’s something the people who work on traffic safety need to figure out. But I want it looked at, during dismissal when everyone is actually trying to get out of there.

I’m asking the City of Cedar Rapids and College Community School District to work together with whoever needs to be involved to make this entrance on 76th Avenue SW safer.

Please:

• Come look at what drivers can and can’t see during school arrival and dismissal.
• Look at the accidents that have happened here and what could help prevent more.
• Figure out what can be done now while bigger changes are being considered.
• Give us an update within 30 days of receiving this petition. Tell us what’s being done and when. 

I’ve requested crash records from CRPD and will add that information when I get it.

If you’ve had a close call here, struggled to see around a turning vehicle, or worried about your teenager pulling out of this entrance, please sign and share. And if you’re willing, share your experience too.

I don’t want another parent getting hit on their way to pick up their kid or a teenager just trying to get home. I want us to get this addressed.