I would like to bring to your attention a significant safety concern at the intersection of Maple St and Oakland Pl. Currently, the pedestrian crosswalk system at this location requires students and pedestrians to cross the street three times in order to reach the other side. This not only contributes to increased traffic congestion during peak hours, such as before and after school, but also poses several potential safety hazards.

The existing setup increases the risk of accidents for the following reasons:

1. Traffic Congestion and Confusion: The requirement to cross multiple times creates confusion for both pedestrians and drivers. Students may be crossing in different directions simultaneously, which can lead to misunderstandings about when it is safe for drivers to proceed. This disruption can increase the likelihood of collisions in an already tight and congested space.
2. Obstructed Visibility: Many of the properties at the corners of the intersection are surrounded by bushes, which obstruct drivers' views of pedestrians. In situations where the crossing guard is assisting children, drivers may not be able to see children crossing from other directions. This reduced visibility creates an additional risk of accidents, especially when drivers mistakenly assume it is safe to proceed.
3. Encouraging Safe Pedestrian Behavior: The current system unintentionally promotes unsafe pedestrian practices, such as jaywalking. Children, frustrated by the need to cross multiple times, may be tempted to cross the road unsafely, further increasing the risk of accidents.

To address these issues, I propose the addition of a single, more efficient crosswalk that would allow pedestrians to cross the street in one continuous movement. This change would have the following benefits:

• Improved Visibility: A well-positioned crosswalk would enhance visibility for both drivers and crossing guards, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring that both parties are aware of each other's actions.
• Increased Safety: By eliminating the need for multiple crossings, we can reduce pedestrian confusion and make the intersection safer for everyone. Drivers will have a clearer understanding of when it is safe to proceed, and children will be less likely to engage in unsafe crossing behavior.
• Enhanced Traffic Flow: As the intersection already operates with an all-way stop, the addition of a crosswalk would not significantly impact traffic flow. In fact, it could help alleviate congestion, particularly during peak times, by providing a more direct route for pedestrians.
• Time Savings: With a more efficient crossing system, both students and drivers would benefit from saved time, making morning and afternoon commutes more manageable for everyone involved.

I believe that this change will significantly improve the safety and efficiency of the intersection, benefiting both pedestrians and drivers. I appreciate your attention to this matter and would be happy to discuss this proposal further.