Student safety should always be a priority

The recent accident on Fleming Drive, where two NCSSM-Morganton students were struck in a crosswalk, should never have happened.

It is a stark reminder that pedestrian safety must be a top priority, especially for students who regularly cross high-traffic areas.

We want to acknowledge and thank those who have stepped up in the wake of this accident. NCDOT’s prioritization of this issue, the leadership of NCSSM-Morganton in quickly adjusting student protocols, and the city’s efforts to monitor speed and traffic patterns all demonstrate a commitment to addressing the problem.

State Rep. Hugh Blackwell and Sen. Warren Daniel deserve credit for engaging with local and state leaders and advocating for safety improvements. These actions show that when stakeholders come together, change can happen quickly.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) — which has direct oversight since Fleming Drive is a state road — has declared the issue one of its top priorities. Elected leaders got involved to help move forward with an eventual solution. And public safety officials with the City of Morganton are studying whether speed is an issue at the stretch of roadway in question. The police have also enhanced their presence along West Fleming Drive.

We hope this momentum continues and that real, lasting solutions emerge from this tragedy. We only wish these actions had happened one year ago after the first accident in the same location, at the same time of day, at the same time of the year. (Side note: Recognizing that sun glare could have been a factor in the accident, the school has instituted a 4:30 p.m. curfew for students leaving campus on foot and is providing shuttle transportation.)

A PREVENTABLE TRAGEDY

Before the first students ever arrived at NCSSM-Morganton, concerns about how they would safely cross Fleming Drive were raised. The school does not have the authority to implement changes to highway regulations. Officials within the UNC system pushed early on for proactive measures at a location everyone knows is a busy thoroughfare, which sees a mix of commuter traffic, commercial vehicles, and pedestrians.

The risks are obvious. The steps that were taken — such as a high-visibility crosswalk and warning signs — were clearly insufficient.

It’s just a matter of time before another tragedy occurs unless more decisive action is taken. Yes, West Fleming is a state road; however, the responsibility to ensure pedestrian safety does not rest solely on the shoulders of one entity. It requires a cooperative effort between the city, the school, legislators, NCDOT, and law enforcement. The fact that multiple agencies are now working together is a positive step, but the question remains: Why did it take another accident to compel this level of response?

COLLABORATIVE SOLUTIONS

The rapid response from multiple agencies following this accident demonstrates what can be accomplished when public safety is treated with the urgency it deserves. Within days, NCDOT officials were evaluating traffic patterns, speed limits, and potential infrastructure upgrades. State legislators had met with school and transportation officials to discuss both short-term and long-term solutions. Morganton Public Safety had deployed speed monitoring devices and began assessing whether speed limits in the area should be adjusted.

This kind of multi-agency coordination is exactly what is needed to ensure that no more students are harmed.

Short-term measures, such as reducing the speed limit and installing additional flashing warning signs, may provide immediate relief. However, long-term solutions must include significant infrastructure improvements, such as pedestrian bridges, raised crosswalks, or traffic-calming measures that make it clear that student safety is the highest priority.

While the immediate response has been encouraging, we must ensure this is not just a temporary burst of attention before the issue fades into the background once again. Student safety should not be reactionary — it must be a permanent priority.

The safety of our children should never hinge on whether an accident has just occurred; it should be guaranteed through thoughtful planning and preventive action.

The tragedy of these accidents is that they were avoidable. The response from officials shows that solutions exist — now it is a matter of ensuring they are fully funded, implemented, and maintained over time. The students of NCSSM-Morganton, and all pedestrians in high-traffic areas, deserve nothing less.

This is a moment for real change. Let’s not wait for another tragedy to remind us why student safety should always come first.