Mother whose kindergartener was struck urges immediate safety fixes at Tarboro and East Martin

A Battery Heights resident told the Raleigh City Council that her 5‑year‑old son was struck by a vehicle while walking home from kindergarten and asked the council for immediate pedestrian‑safety measures at the intersection of Tarboro and East Martin streets.

“Every day, my family and my neighbors' families face serious danger crossing this intersection as we walk our children to and from Hunter Elementary School,” Mindy Taylor told the council. Taylor described faded crosswalk markings, “dangerously timed traffic and pedestrian signals,” inadequate signage and reckless speeding.

Taylor requested a clear response that includes: a timeline for completion of a safety study at the intersection; a plan for increased speed enforcement; a timeline for immediate smaller‑scale safety improvements (repainting crosswalks, flexible delineator posts, corrected signal timing and solar‑powered flashers); and a commitment to add the intersection to the city's capital improvement program for longer‑term changes such as speed bumps or road diets.

Taylor asked staff to coordinate with Vision Zero, the transportation department and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, and said increased speed enforcement could have an immediate effect at low cost while longer-term capital projects are planned.

Council took no formal action during the public-comment period. Taylor said residents will continue to engage with city staff and advisory committees until the city provides a timetable for action.