Recently, someone I know was knocked over by a car at the zebra crossing outside The Bay Primary School. This crossing is used daily by hundreds of children, parents, and school staff, and without proper traffic control, it's a dangerous situation waiting for another tragedy. Every day, children cross the street on their way to and from school, relying on the judgement of drivers to stop at the appropriate moment. While zebra crossings are designed to protect pedestrians, they rely heavily on drivers' attention and compliance with traffic laws. 

The current situation has proven insufficient in protecting our community members, as manifested by the recent accident. It is crucial we address this issue before a more serious tragedy occurs. We all want our children and loved ones to be safe, and the installation of traffic lights at this crossing is an essential step towards that goal.

Traffic lights would not only provide a safer, more controlled crossing for pedestrians but would also regulate vehicle flow, leading to fewer instances of drivers failing to stop. According to data from the Department for Transport, locations with traffic lights have significantly fewer pedestrian accidents compared to zebra crossings in busy areas. By making this change, we can ensure that all road users are safer.

We urge the Isle of Wight Council to take immediate action by transforming the existing zebra crossing outside The BayPrimary School into a controlled traffic light crossing. The cost of installing traffic lights is a small price to pay for the safety and well-being of our children and community members.

Please join me in calling on the Isle of Wight Council to prioritise the safety of our children and community members. Your signature can make a difference. Sign this petition to help prevent future accidents and protect Sandown's pedestrians.