28-05-2025
Anderson County creates ‘Safe Streets for All' action plan
ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – Anderson County leaders say that they are looking for ways to control roadway fatalities over the next 20 years through a survey.
Anderson County was given a 'Safe Streets for All' grant to create an action plan.
'Part of that is getting input from the community as far as how they travel, car, bike, pedestrians,' said Brittany McAbee, Anderson County Transportation planner.
Traffic engineers said Anderson County had the highest pedestrian fatalities in South Carolina five years ago.
'It stays about the same every year. Unfortunately, every time I open the news, I see a fatal accident occur or a pedestrian was hit and we definitely want to reduce those to zero,' said McAbee.
The goal is to eliminate roadway fatalities by 2045. The comprehensive plan is updated every five years because of the change in population and infrastructure.
'I've been in the business for ten years now. The traffic has increased tremendously,' said Kenneth O'Brien, with O'Brien Driving School instructor.
O'Brien said he's had his fair share of issues on the roadway.
'The roads have a lot of potholes. Matter of fact, I blew some tires because they slit the outside of the tire, and then also had front ends aligned a couple times because of potholes you know,' said O'Brien.
The survey the county wants residents to take asks where people feel the most unsafe when traveling within the county's roads. The interactive map allows users to identify those areas and make recommendations for what needs to be fixed or added.
'Even though we are experiencing growth in Anderson County, which everyone has their own thoughts to, we still have a duty to make sure everyone is safe on the road, and we are doing our best to reduce those fatalities,' said McAbee.
O'Brien said he will take the survey if that means it would make the county safer.
'Just the fact I'd love for our roads to be safer would be much smoother,' said O'Brien.
The survey asks for the user's name and email, but that information will not be shown to the public.
Leaders encourage residents to take the survey by June 1, since data will be reviewed by consultants the second week of June.
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