Every day, hundreds of children in Weber County walk to and from school, navigating streets that should be safer for them. As parents, educators, and community members, it's terrifying to think of the dangers they face without the protection of a designated school zone. Children walking, often excited and unaware of the speed of surrounding traffic, deserve to have their journey safeguarded.

A school zone is essential to ensure the safety of our children. It’s a simple measure that can drastically reduce the risk of accidents and create a more secure environment for our students. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, implementing school zones can reduce pedestrian crashes by as much as 30%. By installing proper signage and reducing speed limits during school hours, we will not only protect our children but bring peace of mind to anxious parents.

Currently, without a designated school zone, the streets near the school are chaotic and dangerous at times when children are most likely to be on the move. Nearby areas have already benefited significantly from enforcing such safety measures, showing a noticeable decrease in traffic incidents.

We urge the local authorities of Weber County to prioritize the well-being of our young ones by establishing a school zone near the school. It's a necessary step towards safeguarding our community's future. With your support, we can make a change that will protect our children for generations to come.

Please sign this petition to demand the immediate implementation of a school zone near the school. Your signature will help us take a stand for our children's safety and show the urgency of this critical issue. below are some statistics I found to support the importance of this request.  This area by West Weber elementary is considered non signaled or “passive”

Non-signaled or "passive" school zones have minimal infrastructure, which makes them more dangerous than "active" zones with signals or crossing guards. Drivers tend to travel faster in passive school zones, and a slight increase in speed dramatically increases the risk of fatal or severe injury to pedestrians. Younger children lack the developmental ability to accurately judge the speed and distance of approaching vehicles. 

According to data from the Utah Department of Public Safety’s Highway Safety Office, 990 Utahns were hit by vehicles during the 2023-24 school year, Aug. 1 — June 30, and 34 people were killed. During the 2022-23 school year, 755 Utahns were hit by vehicles, and 36 people were killed. When looking into the data, it showed that a significant number of auto-pedestrian crashes happened during peak commute hours for school; 8 a.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m.