A resident’s call for safer streets, community

On the afternoon of Friday, April 11, my two little girls were walking home from school. We live a little less than a block from the school, and they need to use two crosswalks in order to get home.

 

While they were walking in the crosswalk by the “Spinny Park,” they were almost hit by a truck, which was driven by a dad with two of his own children in the car. He was speeding, slammed on his brakes at the last second, and had to go up onto the curb in order to nearly miss my first grader by mere inches.

 

Sadly, the dad did not stop, nor did he check on them. He continued on and sped off. Thankfully, one of my fellow mom friends, who is also a fellow Daniel Island business owner, immediately went over to comfort my girls, who were visibly shaken, and contacted me.

 

I am beyond thankful that you are not sending me thoughts and prayers over what might have been. Therefore, I am compelled to take my blessing to communicate our story to the community.

 

Yes, my children were in the right. Yet sadly, we need to educate our children that just because you’re in the crosswalk (or a stop sign), it doesn’t mean that the vehicle will stop for you.

 

I have lived on Daniel Island for 20 years. Here, I started my business, met my husband, my bonus boys are Daniel Island School alums, and now, our two girls attend DIS. My whole life started here. No one loves this island or its people more than me.

 

It’s grown in population, which was always the plan, and I welcome you with open arms. And yes, accidents happen. However, it seems as if near misses are more of the norm than ever. 

 

So, I encourage us all to remember WHY you moved here and WHY you love it here.

 

Please, Please, PLEASE:

 

• Drive at a SNAIL’S pace everywhere and always on this island;

 

• Adhere to the rules and laws;

 

• Respect others;

 

• Encourage your children to do the same;

 

• Drive like your children live here because they likely do live here.

 

Let’s not let a tragedy make us better. I encourage all of us to just start being better for the greater good of our amazing and unique community.

 

Instead of thoughts and prayers, let’s start to be more proactive with common decency and common sense. 

 

We are all so blessed to live here!