Require a traffic light at the intersection of Hwy 42 and 452

385

Let’s get to 500 signatures!
Petitions with 1,000+ supporters are 5x more likely to win!

The Issue

Too many lives have been lost or compromised by accidents at the intersection of Highway 42 and Highway 452 in Marion County, Florida. The increasing amount of traffic and the lack of essential infrastructure at this vital crossroads are putting residents and travelers at significant risk every day. It is unacceptable that a traffic light has not been installed at this intersection, where tragedies have become alarmingly frequent.

Consider the harrowing stories of families who have faced unimaginable loss due to traffic accidents here. Loved ones have been permanently injured or worse while simply commuting or driving through this busy area. It’s time for our local government to take urgent action to prevent further heartbreak.

Data from the Florida Department of Transportation indicates that intersections with similar traffic volumes have seen a marked decrease in accidents after the installation of traffic lights. These lights help regulate traffic, reduce the chances of head-on collisions, and ensure a safer commute for everyone.

Moreover, as Marion County continues to grow, so does the influx of daily commuters and commercial vehicles. The increased traffic exacerbates the dangers posed by this unregulated intersection. By installing a traffic light, not only will we potentially save lives, but we will also improve the efficiency of traffic flow in our community, promoting a sense of safety and responsibility.

Therefore, we urge the Marion County Traffic and Engineering Department to prioritize and expedite the installation of a traffic light at Hwy 42 and Hwy 452. Let’s take a proactive step in safeguarding our roads and protecting our community members from preventable accidents.

Please sign this petition to demand that a traffic light be installed at this dangerous intersection before another life is unnecessarily lost to a traffic accident.

The Decision Makers

Steven Cohoon
County Engineer, Marion County Board of County Commissioners
Responded
“Thank you for reaching out and for sharing the petition regarding the intersection of Hwy 42 and Hwy 452. I appreciate the interest from the community and understand the safety concerns being raised. Traffic signals are not installed lightly, and under state and federal guidance they must meet specific engineering warrants based on traffic volumes, crash history, roadway geometry, and operational conditions. These criteria are intended to ensure that a signal improves safety and operations rather than unintentionally creating new risks. For this location, Marion County has completed an engineering evaluation, and the currently programmed improvements, turn lanes and flashing beacons, were selected based on the results of that study. At this time, there is no additional improvement planned beyond those measures. We would be happy to discuss further with the petitioner if they would like. My team would be glad to provide additional high-level information as needed regarding the County’s process and the engineering considerations that go into traffic control decisions at this location. Sincerely, Steven Cohoon, P.E. County Engineer Office of the County Engineer”
Marion County Commission
2 Members
Kathy Bryant
Marion County Commission - District 2
Michelle Stone
Marion County Commission - District 5
County Legislature//Executive Board
2 Members
Carl Zalak
County Legislature//Executive Board
Craig Curry
County Legislature//Executive Board

Supporter Voices

Petition Updates