One of the most popular video games of the 1980s was a game called “Frogger,” where players used a joystick to make frogs jump as they crossed the road, dodging speeding traffic on multiple lanes.

A real-life approximation of the game can be found at the intersection of Highway 45 North and Mike Parra/Gatlin Road, just south of Columbus Air Force Base.

Melissa Jenkins has documented six fatal accidents and three other non-fatal crashes since 2009. One of those collisions claimed the life of her son, Nick, on August 30 and was the catalyst for a study of the intersection by the Mississippi Department of Transportation.

The study has yet to be completed, which prompted Jenkins to begin a petition asking for MDOT to add safety measures to the intersection, including a traffic signal and additional signage. She has shared that petition, which includes more than 2,000 signatures, with MDOT.

It’s a sad reality that a deadly crash can occur on any road or street.

But six deadly crashes and nine total crashes in so short a time span indicates a real need for safety measures. Presumably, MDOT is doing an extensive study of the intersection to determine whether more safety precautions are needed.

Shouldn’t those six deaths alone be more than enough to make the case for these improvements? What data is more relevant than that grim number? In short, how many people have to die before something is done?

We fear the death toll will continue to rise at this intersection if no action is taken. Any intersection of a four-lane divided highway creates what traffic engineers call 32 “conflict points,” where accidents can happen. With traffic moving at the posted 55 mph and minimal lighting, the risk is magnified.

This is not an insignificant intersection. In recent years, commercial properties have been built there and land along the road has been cleared, an indicator that more development is coming. It also connects Highway 45 and Ridge Road.

A busy county roadway crossing a busy state highway with a 55 mph speed limit and 32 conflict points is a combination that certainly warrants action without delay.

We understand that installing a traffic signal is not cheap. It costs between $250,000 and $500,000 to install and maintain a traffic signal.

We also understand that MDOT has more than $210 million budgeted this year for safety improvements.

This is not Frogger and it’s not a game.

Real lives are on the line.

We urge MDOT to move quickly to make their improvements before the next fatal crash.

The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.