How to Petition for a Traffic Light

If you feel strongly about the need for a new traffic light or new pedestrian signal in your neighborhood, you have a right to petition for one. That's what free speech is all about. The key is to handle it professionally. Take it step by step.

Gather a group of concerned residents. There's power in numbers. Share your concerns with each other about the traffic light. Compile any photo proof of accidents, injuries or speeding if possible. Gather a group of concerned residents. There's power in numbers.

Share your concerns with each other about the need for a new traffic signal, red light, or pedestrian traffic solution such as a crosswalk. Compile any photo proof of motorist accidents such as rear end collisions, disrupted traffic patterns, injuries or speeding if possible. Use this to fuel a petition.

Write your traffic safety or traffic engineering petition statement. This is a summary of your grievances. It explains why the traffic light is necessary and who is at danger without one.

Include space below the petition statement for procurement of signatures, addresses and email addresses. Print off several copies of your public safety or traffic flow petition.

Distribute the petitions to group members. Divide up and go door to door, set up a table outside a local store and give a presentation at the next neighborhood-watch meeting. Use social media to advertise the signal request petition to residents of the local government,

Create a website where people can sign the petition 24 hours a day. All they have to do is click a button, enter their name, email address and comments. Determine a cut-off date for the petition campaign. Preferably, this is right before the next town or city council meeting.

Plan your presentation. Decide who will be speaking. Pick someone who can talk passionately, but still stay on task. If there's someone who's been involved in an accident because of the lack of stop sign, have them give their personal pleas, as well.

Go to a town or city council meeting with your petition in hand. Sign up to speak during the public portion of the meeting. State your case and hand in the petition. Bring the completed petition to a town or city council meeting with your petition in hand. Either ask in advance to be put on the agenda or sign up on the sheet in the back of the room. This will get you the opportunity to speak during the public portion of the meeting.

Seek help from a higher power. Send the petition to local lawmakers. This includes assemblymen and senators. Follow up with phone calls. Seek help from a higher power if necessary, such as the department of transportation (.gov), federal highway administration, or public works. Send the petition to local lawmakers while understanding city limits. This includes assemblymen and senators. Follow up with phone calls.

Beware of right-of-way laws, road closures, speed limits, signal timing, or traffic studies that may be impacting your area as mentions of these may come in the form of objections to your petition’s validity.