Dangerous roads need attention in Marble Hill

I am a 16-year-old from Marble Hill, Mo. I am writing because of my concern for our road safety. The problem is that we have very bad roads. And as a result of our bad roads, at least one person is injured or, even worse, killed. And this is not because of careless or reckless driving. My friend Lauren Rhodes passed away Dec. 23, and before her my friend Cole Benfield on Nov. 19, 2008.

Lauren was not driving carelessly or recklessly. It was because of our road. It had become slippery in the rain, and she slid off the road. But what makes it harder for me to handle is the fact that we didn't have a shoulder on the road. We didn't even have a "Slippery when wet" sign. And that is how it is for most of our roads. The only OK roads are in the main areas of town.

Outside of town, and in some areas inside town, you can barely, if at all, see the paint for the lines both at night and during the day. There aren't signs warning "Slippery when wet" where we need them most. There are places, pretty much all over, without shoulders. There are rough patches. And in very dangerous areas there aren't even guard rails, only on bridges.

The community has lost so many bright, kind, wonderful, caring, smart people, most recently Cole and Lauren.

Lauren was one of my best friends, and I can't stand by and let others be taken too soon. I believe our roads are in dire need of being fixed. That is why I am sending this. I hope by sending it to legislators, newspapers and news stations we can get this taken care of.

I know that you could blame the accidents on inexperience on the roads. And that is somewhat true. But we have to face it. Young people are going to drive. It's part of life. But there are also experienced drivers who have lost their lives on these roads. And if it is just inexperience, shouldn't we fix the roads to where they are safer and easier for teenagers to drive? Or even the elderly?

I know some of you might not read this or just blow it off as a teenager complaining. But please, please see that our town needs this. I know we aren't the only town. But I know we are among the few who will stand up for this. We need this. It's not a want but a need. I am willing to do whatever I can to help see this project through. And I am sure a lot of our community is as well. I have already talked to a few people who said they would be happy to help. We are a small town, so we don't have the money for a project like this. But we do have the will to help.

Thanks so much for your time and consideration.

R.I.P.

Josh Lemons, April 18, 2003

Jessica Dees and Jennifer Lincoln, April 14, 2004

Aaron McKinney, Oct. 31, 2004

Cole Benfield, Nov. 19, 2008

Lauren Rhodes, Dec. 23, 2009

Brittany Holmes is a Marble Hill, Mo., resident.