Almost a year ago, on February 14th, my friend Carlos was riding to a friend's house since we had no school that day. While riding alongside the road, a driver was on his phone and veered off the road, hitting Carlos. He suffered from severe brain damage, resulting in him becoming brain-dead. He died a few days later. Carlos was only 16, way too young for what happened to him. His tragic and preventable death has left a void in our lives and highlighted the urgent need for change.

Child pedestrians are at great risk when drivers are distracted or careless on the road. The existing penalties for drivers who cause fatal accidents involving child pedestrians are simply not enough to deter such behavior and do not provide adequate justice to grieving families. Currently, in Florida, the fines are negligible when compared to the irreparable harm done to the family and community.

In 2022, over 150,000 pedestrians in the United States were treated for injuries in traffic accidents, and thousands more lost their lives. Among these, many were children who will never have the chance to grow up, learn, and contribute to our society. Florida, in particular, has one of the highest rates of pedestrian fatalities in the nation. To effectively address this issue, we need stricter laws that not only penalize irresponsible drivers but also support the families left devastated by such preventable losses.

We call on Florida state legislators to implement increased fines and mandatory restitution payments when drivers cause the death of child pedestrians. These changes would ensure that there is a significant financial deterrent against negligent driving and provide essential financial assistance to the families torn apart by these tragedies.

By signing this petition, you will help urge lawmakers to prioritize the safety of our children and ensure that no more families have to suffer the way Carlos's family has. Please stand with us in making our roads safer for everyone, especially the most vulnerable among us—our children. Sign this petition today and make your voice heard for Carlos and every child lost to reckless driving.