Every single school day, children in West Orange risk their safety at the intersection of Mitchell Street, Gregory Avenue, and Gregory Place.

In less than one week this May, there were three crashes in or near this intersection. One vehicle even flipped on its side while children were present. A recent traffic study commissioned by West Orange Township concluded that a traffic light is necessary and communicated that recommendation to Essex County. The County is now asking the Township to formally confirm its support for the project.

We are calling on West Orange Township and Essex County to:

• Approve and fund a traffic light at the intersection to protect children, pedestrians, and drivers.
  (We understand financing, design, and construction may take time.)
• Install a temporary four-way stop immediately while the traffic light project moves forward.

This intersection is uniquely dangerous. Traffic from South Orange comes around a blind curve directly toward a crosswalk heavily used by schoolchildren. Drivers coming from Northfield Avenue frequently speed through the area.

Too often, motorists are distracted, aggressive, or fail to stop for pedestrians, even swerving around children who are already crossing the street.

THIS IS A TRAGEDY WAITING TO HAPPEN.

Our elected leaders should not wait until a child is seriously injured or killed before taking action.

The time to act is NOW.

Please sign and share this petition to support immediate safety improvements and help protect the children and families of West Orange.

Thank you.

**Photo from crash on Gregory Avenue, 5/7 at 7:40AM.