Editor’s note: This statement was provided by the Pelham Council of PTAs. The Pelham Examiner publishes statements in the form received as a service to the community.

On behalf of the PTAC Pedestrian Safety Committee, we want to extend our heartfelt support to the family of the Siwanoy first grader who was struck by a car Friday morning on Iden Avenue while walking to school. This is a nightmare no parent wants to experience. We hope and pray that he makes a full recovery, and we are here in every way for them. 

Tragically, this is the second time since our school year began that a child has been injured while traveling to school on Iden Avenue. Incidents like this are frightening reminders of why we must continue advocating for sweeping improvements to pedestrian safety throughout Pelham. We urge parents, families, school and municipal leaders, community members, and elected officials to make changes to ensure the safety of our children as they commute to and from our schools. We can, and must, do better as a community. 

Our committee has prioritized improving the enforcement of existing traffic laws, raising public awareness of safe driving practices, and enacting structural and engineering changes to make Pelham streets safer. We are grateful for partnerships with the Westchester County Planning Department Intergovernmental Relations Office and the NY Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC), which have resulted in the recent repair of the pedestrian crossing signal at Glover Field, and an upcoming Community Planning Workshop that will bring together key stakeholders to advance other identified pedestrian safety improvements at this location. 

In light of Friday’s incident, we now call on municipal officials to take the following steps immediately: 

• Install speed bumps on “cut through” streets like Iden Avenue and Reed Avenue.
• Add stop signs and crosswalks to the intersections of Pelhamdale and Iden Avenue, Pelhamdale and Reed Avenue, and all approaches on Iden Avenue at Carol Place.
• Add pedestrian crossing bollards to major crossing areas. 
• Reduce speed limit to 25 mph. 
• Engage in regular speed and traffic congestion enforcement throughout all municipalities, particularly at school drop off and dismissals times. 
• Implement a public safety campaign to inform drivers of their responsibilities on the road, and to educate our children of the importance of being aware of their surroundings as they walk or bike to school. 

Enhancing pedestrian safety benefits everyone in our community. Friday’s harrowing event is a stark reminder of why we cannot afford to wait any longer for these improvements to be made. The time to act is now and we look forward to collaborating with our municipal officials on these actionable next steps to protect our entire community, and especially our children. 

To learn more about the PTAC Pedestrian Safety Committee and join our efforts, please contact Allison Frost and Pam Boyver at [email protected].