Fuquay-Varina is seeing an alarming rise in traffic congestion and car crashes, especially in school zones and on routes heavily used by students. As the population continues to increase, the roads leading to schools are becoming more dangerous, putting students at greater risk of accidents and making it harder to arrive safely and on time.
“You might assume that crashes are less likely with cars moving so slowly, but traffic congestion is a common cause of car accidents,” said author Hannah Whitehouse, according to How Does Traffic Congestion Lead to Car Accidents?
In recent years, North Carolina has seen an increase in car crashes, with Fuquay-Varina experiencing its share of incidents.
Senior Aya Aani said, “ I was on Main Street waiting at a red light when a car rear-ended me out of nowhere. The driver wasn’t paying attention because they were on their phone.”
While school zones are definitely affected by the increase in traffic, the impact is much wider.
Graduate Rime Nabih said, “It took me an hour to get to a grocery store in Raleigh because the traffic was so bad, especially with the fair going on.”
The increased traffic not only makes it harder to get around but also affects life in Fuquay-Varina. People are spending more time in their cars, which can be frustrating and stressful. Local businesses are feeling the impact too, as customers might stay away from busy areas because of the traffic.
“I try to stay off Main Street from 4-7 p.m. because that’s when it’s the busiest,” said Aani.
As Fuquay Varina keeps growing, dealing with traffic and keeping students safe are big concerns. Until better solutions are in place, students will have to face the busy roads every day, trying their best to stay safe and get to school on time.
