by Miriam Lev ‘27

Nearly all Sherwood students use Route 108 as it is the only way to get to and from school. This includes cars, bikes, buses, and walking. Before and after school, 108 gets very congested, increasing the risk to student safety. The main problem is that Route 108 does not have sufficient sidewalks, crosswalks, traffic flow, and speed cameras.

From Dr. Bird Road to Christopher’s Garden Center there is no sidewalk, and from there to Sherwood Elementary there is a small path but no sidewalk or crosswalk, and from then on no sidewalk or path at all until pedestrians reach Norwood Rd. A sidewalk for Sherwood Elementary school should be constructed because it is very dangerous to walk on the grass on the edge of the road. A crosswalk by Sherwood Elementary should also be added with flashing lights to inform people there is someone crossing. A stoplight by Christopher’s Garden Center also will help cars slow down and create clear times for pedestrians to be able to cross Route 108. A speed camera should be added nearer to Sherwood HS because it will influence drivers to go slower.

On the west side of Sherwood, a number of students live behind 108 and walk to school and these and other students also frequently go to 7-11. A crosswalk should be in place by 7-11 with flashing lights to inform people there is someone crossing. This area might be the ideal location to add a speed camera.
Route 108 can be dangerous due to heavy traffic flow and the many new drivers using 108 to get to school. Traffic flow can impact accidents because people are in a rush and not paying close attention.

Only having one stoplight near Sherwood can cause people to drive too fast. New drivers impose danger on the road because they are not as experienced, may be unsure of the traffic patterns, and may speed or slow down erratically.

Statistics show that in Montgomery County around 400 pedestrians are struck by vehicles a year and that pedestrians from the ages of 5-15 are at the greatest risk for car-related injuries. In 2022, three Montgomery County students were hit by cars while walking to school. Two of the three students needed to be hospitalized for their injuries.

The Sherwood school community needs to come together and advocate for additional traffic lights and crosswalks at intersections, as well as a speed camera nearer to the school. Each morning and afternoon, hundreds of cars zoom in and out of Sherwood’s parking lots. It’s literally an accident waiting to happen. Let’s make sure that there isn’t also a tragedy.