The Folly Beach City Council has recently passed a resolution adopting a Safety Action Plan aimed at enhancing safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers in the city. This plan, developed over the past year in partnership with outside consultants, uses community feedback and crash data to identify areas for improvement. By adopting the plan, the city is now eligible to apply for federal grants to fund these safety improvements.
Key Focus on Pedestrian and Vehicle Safety
Jenna Stephens, the Zoning Administrator and Environmental Planner for Folly Beach, explained that the primary goal of the Safety Action Plan is to enhance safety for both pedestrians and vehicles. “It’s about improving pedestrian safety, vehicle safety, and bike safety,” Stephens said.
Current Safety Conditions and Public Opinion
While many believe that Folly Beach’s roads are generally safe, some residents and visitors feel there is still room for improvement. “It’s been pretty safe for the most part,” said Cole Harveston, a visitor from Washington, D.C. “The streets are somewhat busy… I think it could improve just a little bit.”
The city sees an average of 85 crashes a year, with 73% of all pedestrian and bicycle accidents occurring between June and August, according to data collected from January 2017 to December 2023. Local resident Gary Carmichael emphasized the importance of being cautious, particularly during the busy summer months. “It’s crowded, it’s hard to find parking… people circle the block,” he said.
Proposed Improvements in the Safety Action Plan
The Safety Action Plan includes several recommendations to improve safety on Folly Beach. These include the installation of roundabouts on Center Street, additional four-way stop signs, new stoplights, and even speed humps to slow down traffic in high-traffic areas.
If funding is granted, the city’s first priority will be to make improvements to Arctic Avenue. Stephens explained that Arctic Avenue would be reduced to one lane, with pedestrian paths added on one side to accommodate strollers, wagons, and other non-motorized vehicles, in addition to pedestrians.
Funding and Future Plans
The city’s ability to implement these changes is contingent on receiving federal funding. “Right now, funding is the issue, and that’s the whole point of the plan—to qualify us for these grants,” said Stephens. Until that funding is secured, no improvements are set in stone.
