Every day, children as young as kindergarteners up to fourth graders face a dangerous journey as they walk across Highway 18 to reach Hartley Elementary School. This busy highway, located in Hartley, IA, lacks basic safety measures such as a crossing guard, stop sign, or traffic light, putting our young students at risk. As a concerned parent and member of this community, I fear that it is only a matter of time before something catastrophic occurs.

Highway 18 is a bustling artery through Hartley, with vehicles often speeding through without regard for pedestrians, let alone small children. According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, traffic volumes on highways like this one have been increasing steadily. Without proper safety measures, the risk to our children remains alarmingly high.

We propose the immediate installation of a crossing guard before and after school hours, or the implementation of stop signs or traffic lights at key crossing points. These measures are vital to ensuring the safety of our children and giving parents peace of mind as their kids travel to and from school.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that pedestrian fatalities have been on the rise, and children are among the most vulnerable. In a community as tight-knit as Hartley, we cannot stand idly by while our children are exposed to such risks.

Join us in demanding local authorities take action. By signing this petition, you are advocating for the protection of our community's most precious members—the children. Let's work together to ensure a safer journey to school and prevent an avoidable tragedy.