Fort Mill and Tega Cay Leaders Demand Action on School Zone Safety
In Fort Mill and Tega Cay, leaders are urging state transportation officials to reconsider the speed limits in school zones following a second incident this year involving a crossing guard. The recent collision occurred outside Catawba Ridge High School on Fort Mill Parkway, reigniting concerns over the safety of students and crossing guards.
The Incident
The crash took place around 8 a.m. on Tuesday. Although there were no fatalities, both the crossing guard and one driver sustained injuries, although the extent of those injuries is not yet known. Officials from the Fort Mill Police Department are still conducting their investigation, and it is unclear if speed was a contributing factor in this accident.
Deteriorating Safety Conditions
Chris Gray, the mayor of Tega Cay, expressed his frustration, stating, “Something needs to be done. These are state roads. DOT is going to have to make changes … These are people putting their lives on the line.” The issue has intensified since a March incident where a crossing guard lost his life at a nearby school, leading both municipalities and the Fort Mill School District to request a safety review from the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT).
Previous Actions by DOT
Despite the tragic incidents, the SCDOT previously declined requests to lower the speed limits in the Fort Mill area. DOT spokesperson, Hannah Robinson, indicated that speed limits have already been reduced from 45 miles per hour to 30 miles per hour during school hours. After the March incident, the DOT did change some signage and reduced vegetation near schools to enhance visibility but did not recommend lowering speed limits.
Current Status
As of now, the SCDOT has no immediate plans to alter the existing speed limits in the Fort Mill school zones. However, they are reviewing traffic counts near the entrance of Catawba Ridge High School to determine if additional traffic control measures are necessary. Mayor Guynn Savage of Fort Mill stated that she plans to submit another request for a safety review by the end of the week.
Community Response
Both mayors stressed the need for urgency in addressing these safety concerns, especially on highways that serve as main routes for school access. Fort Mill has over 18,000 students spread across 20 campuses, and leaders are advocating for solutions such as reducing speed limits, installing traffic lights at school entrances, and improving signage and crosswalk visibility.
Statements from Officials
State Senator Michael Johnson, representing Fort Mill and surrounding areas, is engaging in discussions with local officials and the DOT to find ways to prevent future incidents. The focus remains on ensuring the safety of students, staff, and crossing guards, as evident from the school district’s recent communication urging drivers to be vigilant and exercise caution in school zones.
“This incident is a reminder of the critical importance of exercising caution and remaining vigilant when traveling through school zones,” the school district stated. They emphasized the significance of drivers taking care, particularly during busy drop-off and dismissal times.
The Road Ahead
As community leaders rally for action, the pressure mounts for state officials to reevaluate the current measures in place to protect pedestrians in school zones. With the safety of students and staff at stake, Fort Mill and Tega Cay residents wait to see how the dialogue with the SCDOT progresses.
