Our community’s safety is in jeopardy, especially our children’s. Today I witnessed first hand a child get hit by a car, moving at a speed of at least 45 mph. (Which, by the way, is the correct speed limit in the road.) I saw her small body get hit by a vehicle, throwing her in the air, spinning multiple times before hitting the pavement, motionless. A horrible day for this community, and a forever nightmare for the child and her family.

The child was crossing a dangerous road in our community, (Davenport Blvd), on her way to school, Ridge Community High. It was on the intersection of Davenport Blvd and Orchid Drive. I’m sure if you look at the history of this intersection, you will find countless of accidents monthly on this intersection alone. But to see a child run over by a car as she tried to make her way to school is something I feel should never happen.

There are many reasons why I believe this occurred, and will continue to occur.

This intersection Davenport Blvd & Orchid Drive needs a Traffic Light as soon as possible.

The entire road of Davenport Blvd needs street lights. The majority of the road is pitch black. Ridge Community High starts school at 7:00am. Kids are making their way to school around 6:00 to 6:30am, which is night time.

The speed limit is 45 mph. Most drivers pass that limit by 5 and many times 10 miles over. I consider this a residential area, but cars and trucks pass by at over 50 mph with children trying to cross a road with no Traffic lights and no street lights.

Last, the entire road of Davenport Blvd has little to no sidewalks. I see many people, especially kids walking dangerously close to the road traffic since they don’t have a specific area like a sidewalk to safely walk on.

I feel that all these points are necessary to keep our community safe, especially our children. I hope these items can get done soon, before more children’s lives are put at risk, or worse, are lost forever.