People are dying every day. For residents of Anne Arundel County and surrounding areas, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge is more than a mere structure of transport—it's become a place of despair for many. Each life lost on that bridge is a tragedy, a soul taken too soon, and a profound loss for families and the community.

The statistics are alarming. Suicide rates are rising nationwide, and unfortunately, our beloved bridge has become a focal point for many of these heart-wrenching decisions. The absence of preventive measures on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge is something we can no longer overlook. Lives are at stake, and it's time to take definitive action.

Other bridges in the United States have successfully implemented suicide prevention structures. The Golden Gate Bridge, for instance, has installed a net system designed to deter and prevent individuals from taking their lives. These measures have been proven effective and are saving lives. Unfortunately our bridge is not structurally sound enough to add these structures. Such an initiative should be a priority for the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

Our dedication to these efforts were successful in getting legislation to allow MDOT to post suicide prevention messages on their electronic signboards. Ever since the passage of the legislation into law in 2020, MDOT has refused to actually post messages. We are organizing an effort to reach out to our legislators as well as MDOT officials to encourage them to take action in preventing suicide by finally posting 988 on their signboards. Studies have shown that these messages are successful in deterring some suicides. Even if we save one life, our efforts will not be in vain.

Our community can't afford to lose more members to such preventable tragedies. The time to act is now. By implementing these measures, we can offer hope, help, and a lifeline to those in need. Every life is precious, and together, we can make a difference.

Please join us in our efforts to prioritize and expedite the installation of suicide prevention signs on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Sign this petition and help save lives.