Walking down Middle Road in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, with my dogs and family should be a peaceful experience, but instead, it's often a stressful one. Without sidewalks and with limited space for everyone using this road, there are very real dangers posed by speeding cars and drivers who fail to give walkers the necessary space. This isn't just a personal issue; it's a community concern that affects all of us who rely on this vital route to move between neighborhoods safely.

My name is Aimee and I have lived on Aquidneck Island for more than 30 years - 15 of those years on Evergreen Drive in Portsmouth with my husband John and two boys.  We walk, run, bicycle and drive on Middle Road.  It is the only way in and out of our neighborhood.

Middle Road is the primary pathway for many residents in Portsmouth. Families, dog walkers, and exercise enthusiasts use this road daily. However, due to the absence of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, it has become a hazard rather than a helpful route. Recent observations have shown cars frequently exceeding speed limits and not respecting walkers' safety, creating alarming near-miss situations. This summer was worse than ever.   

"Many U.S. adults feel that driving in their area has become more dangerous than it was before the coronavirus pandemic. Most see cellphone distraction behind the wheel as a major problem in their local community, and about a quarter report witnessing road rage often, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey. While the pandemic-era spike in the number of fatalities from vehicle crashes in the United States has abated some, 49% of Americans today say people in their community are driving less safely compared with five years ago. This includes 23% who say people in their area are driving a lot less safely."  (https://www.pew.org/en/trust/archive/winter-2025/many-americans-perceive-a-rise-in-dangerous-driving

In the last decade, pedestrian fatalities have significantly increased, with a 72% rise in deaths since reaching a low point in 2009, accounting for about 18% of all traffic fatalities. In 2023 alone, approximately 7,314 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle crashes in the United States.
(iihs.org​,  ghsa.org)

To improve our community's safety, we propose:

1.  More speed limit signs, speed feedback signs, school bus stop warning signs, and targeted speed enforcement
2. A  widened or striped shoulder with signage to encourage drivers to slow for pedestrians.
3. Traffic calming to discourage speeding and cut-through traffic - speed bumps, road signs.
4. A long-term plan for a sidewalk or walking path.  Sidewalks not only provide a designated space for pedestrians but also serve to calm traffic by visually narrowing the road, encouraging drivers to adhere more closely to speed limits.

We need the support of local authorities to initiate changes that protect the safety of walkers on Middle Road. It is essential for our community members, including children and elderly residents, to feel safe and secure while walking in their own neighborhood. Improved pedestrian infrastructure can significantly enhance the quality of life in Portsmouth, making our town a safer and more enjoyable place for all its residents.  RI Biker safety laws require drivers to pass safely and maintain a safe distance (R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-15-18).  No such law exists for pedestrians.

Please join me in calling on Portsmouth's town officials to take immediate action. Improving safety on Middle Road will improve our community, make it more liveable, and ensure a safer environment for everyone who lives and walks here.

Help make a difference in our community—sign this petition today to advocate for a safer Middle Road!