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Laurens City asks state to allow local pedestrian safety zones and tougher penalties
Summary
Council adopted resolution 8-25-2 asking the South Carolina General Assembly to authorize local pedestrian safety zones with enhanced penalties; councilors stressed sidewalk gaps and pedestrian deaths in the city as motivation.
The Laurens City Council unanimously adopted resolution 8-25-2 requesting that the South Carolina General Assembly grant local governments and DOT the authority to designate pedestrian safety zones and to adopt enhanced penalties for traffic violations within those zones.
Mayor said existing state law allows enhanced penalties for work zones and school zones but does not permit a separate pedestrian safety-zone designation; the resolution asks the legislature to change that. Councilors described stretches of West Main and other corridors that lack sidewalks, noted recent pedestrian fatalities in the city this year, and urged consistent application of any new authority across neighborhoods. The mayor said a prior inventory (the "connect lawn" program) had identified about 25 miles of sidewalks the city would like DOT to fund.
Councilors emphasized the need to coordinate with DOT and to align any local designations with the city's comprehensive plan. The resolution passed by voice vote; the mayor said the council will share the request with the local legislative delegation for consideration.
