My area is home to 16 children, not including my sister and me. We live near a school. Yet, every day, we walk two miles merely to reach it, whereas it's a mere half-mile as the crow flies. We have almost been hit by a car 5 times this month alone. The reason? Lack of sidewalks. The act of getting to school becomes a dangerous journey instead of a simple, straight-line walk. This story is not only mine. There are numerous areas with high child populations that face this ordeal due to this same absence of sidewalks. 

Across the United States, statistics show that roughly 6 million children walk or bike to school daily. However, only about half of them have access to a network of sidewalks, crosswalks, and paths (Child Pedestrian Safety, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). This lack of dedicated pedestrian pathways is not only an inconvenience but a significant safety risk. Without sidewalks, children are often forced to walk on the road or over rough, uncultivated land, leading to potential accidents. In 2019, it was reported that around 14% of all pedestrian deaths in traffic accidents were children aged 14 and under (Pedestrian Traffic Safety Facts, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety).

We must prioritize our children's safety and convenience. By mandating sidewalks in areas with high populations of children, we can provide them a secure path to school, thus reducing their vulnerability to traffic-related accidents. We believe our children's welfare should always be prioritized.

Let's not wait for a mishap before we take action. Sign this petition today and demand that our government mandate sidewalks in areas populated highly by children. Together, we can ensure their safe and comfortable journey to school.