Lancaster Road Safety Overview

Posted: October 2, 2024/Under: Road Safety Insights/By: Make Roads Safe

According to data collected by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), there were almost 1,000 fatal car accidents in South Carolina in 2020 alone. This marks one of the highest rates of crash fatalities in the country. Comparatively, Pennsylvania, which has more than double the population of South Carolina, had roughly an identical number of fatal accidents.

With such a high rate of car accidents, it is vital to know what is being done to combat this issue and how you can stay safe on Lancaster roads.

What the State Is Doing To Improve Roads

Transportation leaders studied the data to determine the most dangerous areas for car accidents in the state. Three counties ended up near the top of the list: York, Lancaster, and Chester.

To try to lower the high fatality rate in these counties, state officials implemented an increased gas tax and have started to spend that money on repairing roads throughout the state. In 2018, state officials released a list of roads that were most in need of repairs or maintenance in an effort to decrease accidents.

Several roads in Lancaster were identified as being the most hazardous to travel. Two of those roads include Cedar Creek Road and Flat Creek Road.

Cedar Creek Road

The 12-mile stretch of Cedar Creek Road runs through Lancaster County. According to the data, seven serious crashes have happened along that stretch of road. This isn’t surprising, as the road is a rural highway that winds its way through several populated areas.

Flat Creek Road

Two different improvement projects involve Flat Creek Road. This 22-mile stretch has been home to eight serious crashes during the period included in the data.

Construction That Lancaster County Is Responsible For

According to the Lancaster County government webpage, the Public Works division is responsible for providing four types of core services:

  • Road maintenance for all paved and unpaved roads belonging to the county
  • Planning for all roadway improvements
  • Subdivision inspection and planning
  • Assistance for other departments with personnel and equipment

Road maintenance makes up the bulk of the work done by the Public Works division. 

This maintenance includes tasks like:

  • Grading roadways
  • Patching potholes
  • Maintaining areas for drainage
  • Replacing and updating street signs
  • Maintaining right-of-way access
  • Removing trees

These tasks improve road safety for drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

Other Efforts To Increase Lancaster Road Safety

In addition to repairing roads, local officials are taking further steps to combat the high number of accidents in the area.

Replacement of Lancaster Public Transportation Vehicles

South Carolina has allocated money for replacing older vehicles in public transportation throughout the state. The Lancaster Area Ride Service is one of the public transportation networks that has been awarded money. With these state funds, the county is expected to be able to modernize most of its public transportation fleet.

Camp Creek Road Bridge Project

The county started a project in 2021 to replace the bridge on Camp Creek Road that runs over Gills Creek, which was in danger of collapse. The project was originally planned to last for 18 months. However, as of 2024, it is still under construction.

As part of the project, the county created a one-and-a-half-mile detour.

Avoiding Accidents in Lancaster

One of the best ways to avoid accidents in Lancaster is to stay aware of dangerous roads and the particular hazards you may encounter in the area.

Use Caution on the Intersection Between Rt. 521, Rt. 200, and Rt. 9

The heart of Lancaster is where three country highways meet: 521, 200, and 9. Traffic is high at this intersection, especially since an Aldi’s and a Dollar General are adjacent to it. You can avoid this dangerous intersection by taking alternative roads.

However, this can be easier said than done. There are only a few side roads that bypass that intersection, and most of them will add at least 20 minutes to your drive. That is more time than most people are willing to spend.

If you are forced to travel through this intersection, take it slow and watch out for other drivers both exiting and entering. When you don’t need to switch roads, staying in the left lane should minimize your chances of getting into an accident.

Watch For School Children

Lancaster has a high school and an elementary school located near heavily traveled roads, and many children walk to and from school. This means that you should keep an eye out for children in the morning and the early afternoon. They are likely to be crossing roads and may not be looking where they are going.

Be Careful of Winding Roads

While the central roads in Lancaster are gridded in straight lines, as you reach the edges of the city, they can get quite windy. You should generally drive below the speed limit on these roads, especially if you aren’t familiar with them.

Furthermore, many of these winding roads are in residential areas. This means that they create a serious risk of pedestrian or bicycle accidents.

Lancaster’s Emergency Response

The good news is that Lancaster has excellent emergency response if you get into an accident in the city. Both city and county law enforcement are located close by, and there is also a major medical center in the city, which means an ambulance should arrive quickly.

If you are injured in a car accident in or near Lancaster, call 911 right away. Response time should typically be very fast, and the medical facility is highly rated.

Staying Safe on the Road in Lancaster, SC

Even the safest driver can get into an accident due to another driver’s reckless actions. Stay aware of other drivers on the road, and practice defensive driving at all times. If you can avoid driving by using public transportation or walking to your destination, you can further minimize your risk of experiencing a car accident in Lancaster, South Carolina.