Every morning and afternoon, Pennsylvania Avenue becomes one of the busiest and most dangerous school-zone areas in Kanawha County. Children walk to school, families are dropping off and picking up students, buses are turning, and traffic is heavy in both directions. Yet the posted school-zone speed limit in front of Elk Elementary Center remains 30 mph, which is too fast and creates serious safety risks for young children.
In addition to the elementary school, there is also a daycare located directly along Pennsylvania Avenue inside the same school zone. This means even more families with infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children are walking or driving in and out of the area every day. These youngest children are the most vulnerable, and a 30 mph speed limit is not acceptable in a zone with babies, toddlers, and school-age children present.
Residents, parents, and school staff have witnessed numerous wrecks in this exact stretch of road, and many families no longer feel safe traveling through the school zone. A recent serious accident involving a local parent further highlights how urgent this situation is. Without changes, these crashes will continue — and it is only a matter of time before someone, possibly a child, is seriously injured.
We are calling for the West Virginia Division of Highways (District 1), Kanawha County Schools, and the City of Charleston to take immediate action by:
• Reducing the school-zone speed limit from 30 mph to 15 mph
• Installing flashing school-zone lights to alert drivers
• Adding additional warning signage and pavement markings
• Improving crosswalk visibility and safety features
• Expanding the protected school-zone area to fully include both the elementary school and the daycare
• Increasing traffic enforcement during school hours
Both Elk Elementary Center and the daycare serve young children who depend on adults to keep them safe. Slowing down traffic and adding proper alerts to drivers can prevent future accidents and protect the children, families, and staff who travel this road every day.
We ask state and local officials to prioritize a Traffic Safety Study immediately and to implement the needed safety improvements without delay. The children of this community deserve a safe school zone — and that starts with lowering the speed and improving visibility on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
November 21, 2025
Reached 100 supporters
November 20, 2025
76 Comments
It's so hard to get out of the parking lot on this road during drop off time. 30 is entirely too fast. Clendenin school is no where near the main road, but the limit through there is 15 to help with the flow of traffic. The daycare and school in this area is literally right on the road, I was super surprised it was set at 30 to begin with.
My children attend both the elementary school and daycare in this location. I have seen multiple accidents due to people driving unsafe and not paying attention. I think everyone, but ESPECIALLY, the younger kids would benefit from a lower speed limit and increased law enforcement presence.
30 mph in a school zone is way too fast and creates unnecessary hazards for the children! There is only one sign alerting that there is a school zone and there is no marker where it ends. Changes need to be made to keep the kids safe.
It is unsafe! Multiple wrecks have happened at this location while turning in to pick up children. My friend personally almost lost her life turning in to pick her child up from school.
I am the owner of Creative Learning Center and have witnessed multiple accidents in the same area. A stop light or reducing speed between the school and our childcare center is imperative. Protecting our children and families should be a priority!
The speed limit needs lowered or a light
100% support and agree this needs addressed- why does the state continually neglect and disregard our communities and populations who need it most?
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Every morning and afternoon, Pennsylvania Avenue becomes one of the busiest and most dangerous school-zone areas in Kanawha County. Children walk to school, families are dropping off and picking up students, buses are turning, and traffic is heavy in both directions. Yet the posted school-zone speed limit in front of Elk Elementary Center remains 30 mph, which is too fast and creates serious safety risks for young children.
In addition to the elementary school, there is also a daycare located directly along Pennsylvania Avenue inside the same school zone. This means even more families with infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children are walking or driving in and out of the area every day. These youngest children are the most vulnerable, and a 30 mph speed limit is not acceptable in a zone with babies, toddlers, and school-age children present.
Residents, parents, and school staff have witnessed numerous wrecks in this exact stretch of road, and many families no longer feel safe traveling through the school zone. A recent serious accident involving a local parent further highlights how urgent this situation is. Without changes, these crashes will continue — and it is only a matter of time before someone, possibly a child, is seriously injured.
We are calling for the West Virginia Division of Highways (District 1), Kanawha County Schools, and the City of Charleston to take immediate action by:
• Reducing the school-zone speed limit from 30 mph to 15 mph
• Installing flashing school-zone lights to alert drivers
• Adding additional warning signage and pavement markings
• Improving crosswalk visibility and safety features
• Expanding the protected school-zone area to fully include both the elementary school and the daycare
• Increasing traffic enforcement during school hours
Both Elk Elementary Center and the daycare serve young children who depend on adults to keep them safe. Slowing down traffic and adding proper alerts to drivers can prevent future accidents and protect the children, families, and staff who travel this road every day.
We ask state and local officials to prioritize a Traffic Safety Study immediately and to implement the needed safety improvements without delay. The children of this community deserve a safe school zone — and that starts with lowering the speed and improving visibility on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
November 21, 2025
Reached 100 supporters
November 20, 2025
76 Comments
Please adjust the speed limit during drop off and pick up hours for this area. As a parent of former attendees of this daycare, I can attest to the dangers that exist trying to exit the parking lot.
It's so hard to get out of the parking lot on this road during drop off time. 30 is entirely too fast. Clendenin school is no where near the main road, but the limit through there is 15 to help with the flow of traffic. The daycare and school in this area is literally right on the road, I was super surprised it was set at 30 to begin with.
My children attend both the elementary school and daycare in this location. I have seen multiple accidents due to people driving unsafe and not paying attention. I think everyone, but ESPECIALLY, the younger kids would benefit from a lower speed limit and increased law enforcement presence.
30 mph in a school zone is way too fast and creates unnecessary hazards for the children! There is only one sign alerting that there is a school zone and there is no marker where it ends. Changes need to be made to keep the kids safe.
It is unsafe! Multiple wrecks have happened at this location while turning in to pick up children. My friend personally almost lost her life turning in to pick her child up from school.
I am the owner of Creative Learning Center and have witnessed multiple accidents in the same area. A stop light or reducing speed between the school and our childcare center is imperative. Protecting our children and families should be a priority!
The speed limit needs lowered or a light
100% support and agree this needs addressed- why does the state continually neglect and disregard our communities and populations who need it most?
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Please adjust the speed limit during drop off and pick up hours for this area. As a parent of former attendees of this daycare, I can attest to the dangers that exist trying to exit the parking lot.