My younger sister, who is just freshly 17, was hit by a car at a crosswalk near the high school on Oak St on her birthday. She slid on the concrete, possibly injuring her ribs with multiple bruises and scrapes. This incident was terrifying and could have been prevented if the visibility at the crosswalk had been improved with more effective signage.

In the USD 446 school district, pedestrian safety is a significant concern, especially during school hours. The existing signs, lacking proper illumination, pose a danger to students like my sister, who cross these streets daily. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 6,283 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in 2018 in the United States, highlighting the urgent need for improved pedestrian safety measures.

Our proposal involves installing solar-powered, lighted pedestrian signs at all crosswalks near USD 446 schools. Solar-powered signs are not only eco-friendly but also cost-effective in the long run. These signs would ensure that crosswalks are visible at all hours, diminishing the risk of accidents and making our school environments more secure for students, parents, and staff.

Various studies have shown that improved lighting significantly reduces the risk of pedestrian accidents. The Federal Highway Administration highlights that light-emitting diodes (LEDs), typical of solar-powered signs, have a lasting durability and visibility, crucial for alerting drivers to pedestrian activity.

Implementing solar-powered pedestrian signs will dramatically reduce the odds of accidents, ensuring students can focus on their education without fear. I urge the USD 446 administration and local government officials to prioritize this change to prevent more families from experiencing such trauma.

Your support is vital in making our school zones safer. Let’s act now before another preventable accident occurs. Please sign this petition to demand that all pedestrian signs near USD 446 schools be solar-powered and illuminated.