Laney student proposing stoplight near school gets support from Wilmington MPO

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A New Hanover County student’s effort to get a stoplight put near her school to reduce accidents is gaining traction. For weeks Jada Ferrell, a Laney High School sophomore, has been gathering petition signatures. And this week she learned her proposed stoplight is making its way up to the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

Ferrell said several of her friends have gotten in car accidents near Long Ridge Drive and North College Road. It’s the area between McDonald’s and the Dollar General.

According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol between 2012 and 2016 there have been 48 wrecks in this area and 46 of them have been with teen drivers.

Last month Ferrell said to herself something needed to be done.

“We started an online petition,” said Ferrell. “I think it’s important that young people try to help out in their community and just try to make a difference.”

She said she collected more than 1,500 signatures.

Ferrell said she sent comments, petition signatures, data she collected and anything else to support her cause to city and county leaders and state lawmakers. And she got a response. The Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization sent Ferrell a letter announcing their plans to ask the NCDOT to conduct a study in the area.  They said the NCDOT will probably do a study once school starts again next year. And then they’ll make a recommendation regarding specific improvements.