Assignment: Community Traffic Safety Analysis

📝 Description

Identify a dangerous intersection, crosswalk, or road segment in your daily commute or neighborhood. Document the hazard with photos or video. Research who is responsible for traffic safety improvements (city, county, TxDOT) and find the formal process for requesting safety improvements. Draft a formal request letter to the appropriate agency. Activates the full action civics cycle: identify, research, act.

Estimated Time: 2-3 hours

Category: Medium Effort Activity

📋 Requirements

Identify a specific dangerous location in your daily life
Document the hazard with photos or video
Research the responsible government agency
Draft a ready-to-send formal request letter
Write a 200-word reflection

✅ Complete/Incomplete Rubric

Student receives full points when ALL criteria below are met:

Hazard Documentation ✓

Specific location identified with address or coordinates
Photos or video clearly show the hazard
Brief explanation of why the location is dangerous
Personal connection to commute or neighborhood demonstrated

Agency Research ✓

Correct agency identified (city, county, or TxDOT)
Contact information provided
Formal request process documented
Multi-jurisdictional considerations noted where relevant

Formal Request Letter ✓

Letter is professional and ready to send
Includes specific location and hazard description
Makes a clear ask
References supporting evidence

Reflection (200 words) ✓

Meets word count requirement
Discusses citizen petition processes
Connects to local government responsibilities
Shows understanding of how infrastructure decisions are made