What Is the Safety Action Plan?
The Folly Beach Safety Action Plan is a roadmap to make our streets safer for everyone—drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. Developed through data analysis, community input, and expert recommendations, it identifies the most urgent crash-hotspots and lays out clear steps to reduce accidents, protect lives, and enhance the look and feel of our island’s main corridors.
Grant Opportunities: Why This Plan Unlocks Funding
Many state and federal grant programs require a formal Safety Action Plan before awarding funds. By adopting this plan, Folly Beach becomes eligible to compete for:
- Federal Infrastructure grants tied to Complete Streets and Walk/Bike initiatives
- FHWA Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grants
- Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funding through SCDOT
- State and Local Transportation Safety Funds
Each of these programs can provide anywhere from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, which underwrite the design, construction, and ongoing maintenance of the very safety measures voters have requested.
Why The Safety Action Plan Matters
- Lives and Livelihoods: Between 2017–2023, Folly Beach averaged 85 crashes a year, five of them fatal, with pedestrian and bicycle collisions peaking in summer when our roads are busiest.
- Tax Dollars at Work: Every dollar spent on proven safety improvements returns several dollars in reduced medical costs, emergency response, and property damage.
- Economic Boost: Safer, more attractive streets draw more visitors to our shops and restaurants, strengthening the local economy.
- Community Pride: Wider sidewalks, street trees, and “main-street” lighting make Arctic Avenue and other corridors places we’re proud to show off.
How You Can Help
- Stay Informed: Visit the project webpage for updates and visual mock-ups.
- Share Your Voice: Let friends and neighbors know that passing the Safety Action Plan means unlocking grant dollars for visible improvements.
- I Will Vote “Yes” to Adopt the Plan: A formal Council vote will certify our eligibility and signal to grant reviewers that Folly Beach is serious about safety.
Your support ensures Folly Beach can secure the funding it needs to turn this plan into reality—creating safer streets, fostering economic growth, and preserving the character of our community for years to come.
Here are the Key Components of the Plan
- Data-Driven Priorities
- Mapped 593 crashes across 51 segments and 5 major intersections
- Calculated crash rates to pinpoint the worst locations
- Community Voices
- 248 residents and visitors surveyed; top concerns: speeding, missing crosswalks, and poor visibility
- Two public meetings (July & October 2024) to refine ideas and build consensus
- Balanced “4-E” Approach
- Engineering: Reconfigure lanes on Arctic Avenue, add buffered bike lanes, bulb-outs, and high-visibility crosswalks
- Enforcement: Speed-feedback signs and targeted police campaigns against dangerous driving
- Education: Campaigns on crosswalk laws, roundabouts, and safe golf-cart operation
- Evaluation: Transparent “Target Zero” website and ongoing data sharing with state partners
Top Recommended Actions (By Cost, Impact, Urgency)
| Rank | Action | Cost | Impact | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Speed-feedback signs & message boards | Low | High | Immediate |
| 2 | Targeted enforcement campaigns (speed, impairment) | Low | High | Immediate |
| 3 | High-visibility crosswalks with beacons | Med | High | 0–6 months |
| 4 | Curb extensions (“bulb-outs”) at key crossings | Med | High | 0–6 months |
| 5 | Amber LED “turtle-friendly” streetlight upgrades | Med | Medium | 6–12 months |
| 6 | Arctic Avenue reconfiguration (bike lanes + turn lane) | High | High | 6–12 months |
| 7 | Sidewalk widening & streetscape improvements | High | Medium-High | 6–12 months |
| 8 | Parallel-plus-angled parking reconfiguration | Med-High | Medium | 12–24 months |
| 9 | “Target Zero” transparency website & data sharing | Low | Medium | Ongoing |
