Fort Mill Town Council asks SCDOT to review school zone safety measures after crossing guard death
FORT MILL, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Just down Springfield Parkway, near Fort Mill Elementary and Middle schools, a speed-aware radar sign now serves as a reminder to drivers to slow down.
“I just saw as I was driving the sign that was telling you your speed,” said Christina Preis, “and I will be honest, at the end of the day that’s something that I’m happy to see.”
Fort Mill town leaders voted, unanimously, to pass a resolution that will call on the state to take measures to make school zones safer.
The resolution was passed roughly two weeks after crossing guard Stanley Brucker, 61, lost his life after he stepped out into traffic and was hit by a car. Prosecutors say the driver wasn’t at fault. Regardless, area crossing guards called for safety improvements.
PREVIOUSLY: Fort Mill asks for greater safety measures from state after crossing guard death
“We need things to change,” said crossing guard Leslie Richardson at the time. “The speed limit has to be reduced, not all our spots have flashing lights.”
Mayor Guynn Savage stressed steps need to be taken to “limit the opportunities for this to ever reoccur.”
The council asked the South Carolina Department of Transportation to review signage, signals and other safety measures at all Fort Mill schools.
“The more signage you can get, the more attention you can call to the issue there,” said Sharon Bynum, who was a crossing guard when her kids were young. “I’ve been out on that road when he and his buddy at the other school have been out there, and thought I’m so glad I didn’t have a road like this.”
The council also added that the speed limit should be reduced to 25 miles per hour.
Neither the Town nor Fort Mill School District wanted to comment on the proposal, however, a school district rep said they appreciate any efforts to help with safety around schools.
Those we spoke to are in support of safety enhancements, however, the ideas of how to approach that might differ.
“A few tickets and you will shut it down,” said Mary Smith.
“I don’t want to raise anyone’s taxes or give tickets to anybody or anything like that,” said Preis, “but those kind of measures are important and I don’t think that would be the worst thing.”
It’s unknown if the SC DOT will accept this resolution, and what the department will change.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
