FORT MILL, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Drivers can only make right-hand turns coming out of Catawba Ridge High School during drop-off and pick-up times. Fort Mill School District spokesperson Joseph Burke says it’s just one method for reducing traffic at six area schools.
Now, the town is adding off-duty officers to mitigate other traffic issues.
“We want people to see that we’re being proactive instead of reactive. We want to keep our individuals safe in our school zones, but also throughout our town limits as well,” said Fort Mill Assistant Town Manager Gordon Burnette.
“That has been going well. We’ve seen great improvement with traffic in those areas,” said Fort Mill School District spokesperson Joseph Burke.
Catawba Ridge freshman Reagan Henson agrees, but she thinks road design may be the main reason for crashes and deaths around campuses.
“I wish that they made the road a little bit bigger and stuff because it’s kids, new drivers, and you’re putting it on this tiny road where they can’t even turn left. It’s like a prone area for it to happen. Like it would happen,” Henson said.
The moves come after drivers hit two crossing guards in 2024, killing one and seriously injuring another.
South Carolina lawmakers are considering several bills, including one to allow trained crossing guards to direct traffic near schools — something only police and deputies can do for now.
“And Representative (David) Martin has been working on some traffic light solutions. And we have a light that’s going to be going in at Catawba Ridge High School, I believe, by March. The schools that we put right turn only have helped control traffic. So I think that both of those have been successful programs for us, and we want to continue that success,” Burke said.
