Letter: Address traffic problems now

As a 10-year resident of the Lowcountry, I have observed the traffic situation get worse each year.

A recent article that highlighted a reduction in citations/enforcement preceded another article highlighting the Bluffton area as in the top 10 for accident potential in South Carolina. This is unacceptable and needs attention now.

Excessive speed, tailgating and reckless driving are the norm while traveling on U.S. 278 or other local roadways. The primary factor contributing to this problem is the rapid growth experienced in both the commercial and residential sectors of the economy in the past 15 years, as well as a disregard of traffic laws by drivers.

Enforcement of speed and traffic violations appear to increase as horrific accidents occur or letters to the editor increase. Our elected officials do not or cannot address the problem for whatever reason. If we continue to build large commercial plots without conducting comprehensive zoning and traffic studies, the problem will compound until yet another accident spurs a rushed response.

As a grandparent of a young driver in the Bluffton area, I’m calling upon our elected officials to do something now to address this situation. The short-term answer is to hire more police officers dedicated to traffic enforcement. The long-term solution is to review zoning and traffic studies to ensure our infrastructure can support the increase in population and traffic that will occur in the future.

The return on investment will make us all safer.

This story was originally published March 30, 2016 at 8:00 PM with the headline "Letter: Address traffic problems now."