Florence is undertaking several targeted public safety improvements in 2025 in response to recent traffic incidents and rising concerns among residents.
Enhanced Traffic Enforcement and Safety Checkpoints
Florence County Sheriff’s Office has expanded its traffic safety checkpoint operations, focusing particularly on impaired and distracted driving enforcement. In February 2025, deputies launched new checkpoint campaigns and are collaborating with statewide initiatives like “Sober or Slammer!” and “Buckle Up, South Carolina” throughout the year, targeting major travel weekends and high-risk corridors. Residents should expect a visible increase in police presence, especially around holidays, with checkpoints appearing in areas identified as crash hotspots.​
Highway Safety Improvements
South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) scheduled major corridor safety improvement projects for South Church Street, West Lucas Street, and East Palmetto Street. Public information sessions and comment periods in April 2025 enabled residents to get involved and help shape pedestrian, lighting, and intersection upgrades, all aimed at reducing collisions and improving access for vulnerable road users.​
Federal and State Funding for Pedestrian and Youth Safety
Florence is a priority community for new state allocations in 2025 targeting pedestrian safety (crosswalks, signage, lighting), especially where teen drivers and walkers are most at risk. Grants are funding pedestrian safety education, additional school crossing guards, and local campaigns highlighting the dangers of speeding, unrestrained driving, and distracted behaviors—efforts coordinated under the state’s FFY 2025 Annual Grant Application.​
Public Engagement and Emergency Preparedness
The city is working with South Carolina’s Emergency Management Division to roll out new emergency response exercises and preparedness trainings tailored for local agencies. Additionally, ongoing efforts encourage community feedback through regular town halls, with increased communication via local media and official social platforms pushing out alerts and safety tips.​
Long-Term Vision
Florence’s multi-layered plan leverages increased law enforcement, upgraded road infrastructure, expanded public safety education, and enhanced community engagement to address the most urgent public safety concerns following recent events. Direct participation from residents and new state-supported resources ensure a more resilient and responsive safety strategy for the year ahead.
SOURCES
[1](https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/2025-02/SC_FY25_AGA-tag.pdf)
[2](https://www.facebook.com/fcsosc/posts/press-releasefebruary-13-2025-fcso-to-conduct-traffic-safety-checkpoints-florenc/1033327218829253/)
[3](https://www.facebook.com/thescdps/posts/drivers-in-florence-county-can-expect-to-see-additional-law-enforcement-over-the/1283179467175971/)
[4](https://www.scdot.org/inside/SCDOTPress/2025/scdot-to-hold-a-drop-in-public-information-meeting-in-florence-c.html)
[5](https://www.scemd.org/media/1855/south-carolina-integrated-preparedness-plan-cy25-thru-cy27-final.pdf)
