Bluffton has launched several major initiatives in 2025 to bolster public safety in response to recent traffic incidents and growing infrastructure pressures tied to population growth and tourism.
Operation Safe Drive 278
The Bluffton Police Department and regional law enforcement agencies introduced Operation Safe Drive 278 in September 2025 to combat rising roadway accidents along U.S. Highway 278 — one of the area’s busiest corridors. The campaign emphasizes distracted-driving prevention, increased speed enforcement, and education on South Carolina’s hands-free driving law. Officers are focusing on crash-prone intersections and using digital message boards and community outreach to promote safer driving habits.​​
US 278 Corridor Safety and Infrastructure Upgrade
Beaufort County secured $120 million in new funding from the South Carolina State Transportation Infrastructure Bank (SIB) in June 2025 to advance the US 278 Corridor Improvement Project, connecting Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, and surrounding areas. This long-term project includes replacing aging bridge spans, widening lanes, and improving hurricane evacuation routes. It aims to alleviate bottlenecks, reduce crash rates, and increase emergency vehicle accessibility during major weather events.​
Bluffton Parkway and Pedestrian Enhancements
Local safety improvements complement these regional projects. Beaufort County announced new sidewalk and pedestrian infrastructure work for Bluffton Parkway and River Ridge Drive, starting in mid-2025. The upgrades include crosswalk installations, traffic control measures, and improved street lighting to protect pedestrians and cyclists — areas identified through recent safety audits.​
Community and Animal Safety Reforms
The Public Facilities and Safety Committee also approved enhancements to Bluffton’s Animal Control facilities, addressing prior safety concerns. These improvements include new turf installations rated for animal health and fencing upgrades to reduce injuries among rescue animals, signaling the town’s investment in welfare and community safety resources.​
Broader Safety Vision
Together, these initiatives form Bluffton’s broader public safety strategy for 2025–2030: improving traffic management, enhancing emergency coordination, and investing in safer infrastructure for both motorists and pedestrians. Following traffic-related events earlier in the year, the town’s coordinated actions with Beaufort County and the South Carolina Department of Transportation represent one of its most comprehensive safety modernization efforts to date.
SOURCES
[1](https://www.beaufortcountysc.gov/news/2025/06/bluffton-parkway-and-river-ridge-drive-sidewalk-and-pedestrian-improvements-begin-next-week.html)
[2](https://sctib.sc.gov/sites/sctib/files/documents/Beaufort%20County%20US%20278%20Corridor%20Improvement%20Project%20Application.pdf)
[3](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ki_wKHd99U)
[4](https://beaufortcountysc.new.swagit.com/videos/352769?ts=3344)
[5](https://www.beaufortcountysc.gov/news/2025/06/beaufort-county-applauds-sib-vote-to-fund-us-278-corridor-project-with-120-million-investment.html)
