By Lora Carroll/The Leeds News

Those who drive down Highway 411 in Moody on mornings or afternoons during the school year are aware of the dangers they face at the intersection of High School Drive. High School Drive leads approximately 2,000 students, teachers and parents to Moody High School and Moody Junior High school every single day from August well into May.

Next year, even more traffic will begin to accumulate as the city’s middle school students begin classes in their new building on that same campus.

Residents are concerned that if something doesn’t happen now, as the city continues to grow, more and more accidents will occur. Moody resident Paul Wilson is one who believes that if the intersection does not get a red light, accidents will get worse and lives will be lost.

“We have had multiple, multiple accidents involving youth as well as adults there,” said Wilson at Moody’s City Council meeting Monday night. “My question is, as citizens, how can we get behind this and help you get behind it?”

Residents say the fact is, “We need a red light.” The need for a red light at the location in Moody has been addressed for a countless numbers of years. Studies have been done in the area and the City of Moody headed up a number of studies of their own. They have also participated in a traffic count at the location. “Supposedly the numbers cannot justify a red light,” said former police chief and councilman Bobby Clements.

Moody has not stood idly by when it comes to the location. They pushed to have a caution light installed and addressed ingress and egress at the drive by adding an exit at the back of the schools on Kerr Road when they began construction of Moody Middle School. “We decided we would not participate in the project unless it had an exit going out the back side,” said Mayor Joe Lee.

They also situate two officers in front of the school during high traffic hours. “I’ve spent hours out there directing traffic and it is one of the most dangerous things we do,” said Clements.

“We want a red light there as well,” said Lee. “And we are willing to participate in getting one.”

Lee said the best way to mobilize the efforts is to help elect a governor who will directly address the needs of Moody citizens. “We need to address every candidate who is running for office this election year,” he said. “We need to work together and let others know we do have a problem in St. Clair County. Not only do we need a red light, but the highway needs to be a four-lane as well.”

Resident Shannon King, who has three children attending school, said her grandmother, 72, was involved in an accident at the location five weeks ago. She has since been released from intensive care, but is still in the hospital fighting for her ability to walk.

King’s youngest daughter was involved in an accident at the same location last Wednesday. “I just want you all to fight to get this done,” said a visibly emotional King. “We need to do this before we have to bury a carload of children. Before a child’s life or an adult’s life is taken. It shouldn’t have to take a life before we get something done.”

“We are not through with this,” said Lee. “We need to work together to make all these points to the state.” Lee added that citizens should work hand-in-hand with the Moody Police Department, the St. Clair County Commission and the St. Clair County Board Of Education. He advises citizens to send letters to the heads of the state. “We’ll get them all together and hand deliver them to Montgomery ourselves,” Lee said. “You have and will be heard.”