Make SC-544 safer for Coastal Carolina students
The Issue
Early Sunday morning, August 16, 2026 at approximately 12:15 a.m., a tragic event occurred on SC-544 near Coastal Carolina University. Two students were struck by a car, resulting in critical injuries that have left their families and friends devastated. This dire incident is not an isolated one; back in February 2026, a similar accident underscored the dangerous conditions on this stretch of road. Over the past decade, multiple students have been involved in severe incidents along this route, with some paying the ultimate price. These accidents are not mere coincidences—they are a reflection of the perilous road conditions that have been continually ignored.
SC-544 is a vital thoroughfare for Coastal Carolina students, faculty, and the surrounding community. Despite its importance, the area remains poorly lit, lacks sufficient pedestrian crossings, and has minimal traffic-calming measures. This negligence puts lives at risk, and yet, no substantial action has been taken to ensure the safety of the thousands who traverse this road daily.
We are calling for immediate and comprehensive safety improvements on SC-544. These improvements should include the installation of better lighting, the construction of raised crosswalks, and the implementation of effective traffic-calming measures. Around universities, it is critical to create an environment where students can safely focus on their education without fearing for their safety on the streets that surround them.
Inaction is not an option. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pedestrian fatalities have increased by over 50% nationwide in the last decade, with urban areas seeing the most significant rise. Coastal Carolina University should be a place of learning, not a site of mourning.
It is within the power of local and state authorities to address these dangerous conditions. The costs of improving SC-544 are minimal compared to the immeasurable loss of life and potential damage to young futures. With proper design and vigilant oversight, we can prevent further tragedies.
Join us in demanding that local authorities take immediate action to make SC-544 safer for all. Let's work together to protect our students and ensure that no more lives are put in jeopardy due to neglect and oversight.
Please sign this petition to urge the necessary changes before another preventable tragedy claims even more victims.
1,100
The Issue
Early Sunday morning, August 16, 2026 at approximately 12:15 a.m., a tragic event occurred on SC-544 near Coastal Carolina University. Two students were struck by a car, resulting in critical injuries that have left their families and friends devastated. This dire incident is not an isolated one; back in February 2026, a similar accident underscored the dangerous conditions on this stretch of road. Over the past decade, multiple students have been involved in severe incidents along this route, with some paying the ultimate price. These accidents are not mere coincidences—they are a reflection of the perilous road conditions that have been continually ignored.
SC-544 is a vital thoroughfare for Coastal Carolina students, faculty, and the surrounding community. Despite its importance, the area remains poorly lit, lacks sufficient pedestrian crossings, and has minimal traffic-calming measures. This negligence puts lives at risk, and yet, no substantial action has been taken to ensure the safety of the thousands who traverse this road daily.
We are calling for immediate and comprehensive safety improvements on SC-544. These improvements should include the installation of better lighting, the construction of raised crosswalks, and the implementation of effective traffic-calming measures. Around universities, it is critical to create an environment where students can safely focus on their education without fearing for their safety on the streets that surround them.
Inaction is not an option. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pedestrian fatalities have increased by over 50% nationwide in the last decade, with urban areas seeing the most significant rise. Coastal Carolina University should be a place of learning, not a site of mourning.
It is within the power of local and state authorities to address these dangerous conditions. The costs of improving SC-544 are minimal compared to the immeasurable loss of life and potential damage to young futures. With proper design and vigilant oversight, we can prevent further tragedies.
Join us in demanding that local authorities take immediate action to make SC-544 safer for all. Let's work together to protect our students and ensure that no more lives are put in jeopardy due to neglect and oversight.
Please sign this petition to urge the necessary changes before another preventable tragedy claims even more victims.
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Petition created on August 18, 2026