Safer for Kids: Slow Traffic on White Oak & Columbia Near Schools in Munster
Safer for Kids: Slow Traffic on White Oak & Columbia Near Schools in Munster
The Issue
Every weekday morning and afternoon, as I walk my 7-year-old to and from Elliott Elementary and drop my 13 -year-old off at WWMS, my heart races out of fear watching kids dart through traffic. The journey that should be filled with excitement and chatter is often overshadowed by the speeding cars on White Oak and Columbia, two streets that see an alarming amount of fast-moving traffic, despite their proximity to schools.
Cars often zoom past children walking and on bikes, barely missing them. It's not just isolated incidents. We’ve heard many stories of near misses, which have become a dreaded, common narrative among parents in our community. We shouldn't have to worry about whether our children will make it to school safely.
Approximately 3,000+ students attend the schools near these streets, and according to the Department of Transportation, the risk of a pedestrian fatality reaches up to 85% when hit by a car traveling at 40 mph, compared to just 5% at 20 mph. Slowing down drivers in school zones is not just necessary. It could save a child's life.
Our ask is simple yet significant: we urge the town officials and local transportation authorities to implement effective speed-reduction measures on White Oak and Columbia, including lowering the speed limits to 25 mph like all other residential streets, installing speed tables in front of the schools, enhancing pedestrian crossings with clearer signage, and increasing traffic enforcement during school zone timeframes.
Such actions would not only contribute to the safety of our children but also foster a sense of community where residents feel safe walking and cycling. It would prevent the unthinkable tragedy of a child being harmed merely for walking to school.
Join us in making a proactive change before it's too late. Sign this petition to demand safer streets for our children and for the peace of mind of every parent in the Munster community. Together, we can ensure that our children's paths to education are filled with joy and security, not fear. We ask for your signatures to help support this request. NOTE: No donations needed, please sign and share!
66
The Issue
Every weekday morning and afternoon, as I walk my 7-year-old to and from Elliott Elementary and drop my 13 -year-old off at WWMS, my heart races out of fear watching kids dart through traffic. The journey that should be filled with excitement and chatter is often overshadowed by the speeding cars on White Oak and Columbia, two streets that see an alarming amount of fast-moving traffic, despite their proximity to schools.
Cars often zoom past children walking and on bikes, barely missing them. It's not just isolated incidents. We’ve heard many stories of near misses, which have become a dreaded, common narrative among parents in our community. We shouldn't have to worry about whether our children will make it to school safely.
Approximately 3,000+ students attend the schools near these streets, and according to the Department of Transportation, the risk of a pedestrian fatality reaches up to 85% when hit by a car traveling at 40 mph, compared to just 5% at 20 mph. Slowing down drivers in school zones is not just necessary. It could save a child's life.
Our ask is simple yet significant: we urge the town officials and local transportation authorities to implement effective speed-reduction measures on White Oak and Columbia, including lowering the speed limits to 25 mph like all other residential streets, installing speed tables in front of the schools, enhancing pedestrian crossings with clearer signage, and increasing traffic enforcement during school zone timeframes.
Such actions would not only contribute to the safety of our children but also foster a sense of community where residents feel safe walking and cycling. It would prevent the unthinkable tragedy of a child being harmed merely for walking to school.
Join us in making a proactive change before it's too late. Sign this petition to demand safer streets for our children and for the peace of mind of every parent in the Munster community. Together, we can ensure that our children's paths to education are filled with joy and security, not fear. We ask for your signatures to help support this request. NOTE: No donations needed, please sign and share!
66
The Decision Makers
Petition created on February 26, 2026