Daniel Isl. resident pushing for road safety improvements on Clements Ferry Road

DANIEL ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - A Daniel Island resident says one intersection is causing safety issues in her community and she wants to see change before people get hurt.

She says the growth of infrastructure and population in the area is outpacing road improvements. She believes there needs to be upgrades to prevent accidents before they occur.

Charly Vaughn lives off Clements Ferry Road near exit 23A on I-526.

She says if she needs to get to I-526, the heavy and speedy traffic from Clements Ferry not only limits her ability to do this but creates unsafe conditions for her, her neighbors and her community.

“It’s a disaster waiting to happen,” Vaughn says.

She says her everyday commute isn’t an easy one.

“Every time I have to make that turn, I grimace, you know? You are holding onto the steering wheel saying a prayer and hope you get through it all,” Vaughn says.

With a median blocking her ability to make a left-hand turn out of her neighborhood, it’s complicated to get to places like I-526. She must take a right-hand turn onto Clements Ferry, make a U-turn at Marina Drive, back past her neighborhood and onto the interstate.

But Vaughn says it isn’t this extra mile trek that’s the issue.

“Marina Drive and Clements Ferry Road is where it’s so bad at,” Vaughn says.

She says a U-turn at Clements Ferry and Marina Drive is not just a want, but a need.

“It’s very congested,” Vaughn adds.

The intersection has no stoplight, so with the heavy flow of traffic coming down Clements Ferry, Vaughn says it’s a gamble anytime it’s finally her turn to go.

“You definitely have to add time, good lord I thought I was never going to get out of there,” Vaughn says.

Vaughn says this issue is only getting worse, as a new apartment complex was just built at this exact intersection and another one is in the works up the road

“It’s hard to believe that the apartment complex developers did not try to put a light up,” Vaughn says.

She says a stop light at Clements Ferry and Marina Drive would greatly help residents like her who need to make this U-turn when getting onto I-526, as well as residents in the new apartment complex and those who frequent Clements Ferry.

“It means I’m going to have to stop at a red light, but it also means saving my life and somebody else’s life,” Vaughn says.

Vaughn is no stranger to the dangers this road presents without any safety measures.

Her husband got in an accident a few months ago, having been blocked by the center median when trying to get to I-526, He made a U-turn when he thought it was clear.

“It’s scary, it makes me wonder who is going to be next and are they going to live through it… I’m thinking they are just waiting to see how many car wrecks happen there and how many deaths it’s going to take before they do anything. If they do anything,” Vaughn says.

Live 5 reached out to the South Carolina Department of Transportation asking what it would take for a light to be built at this intersection.

They did not say what it would take, but they responded and said a signal is planned for the next road up at Clement’s Ferry and Beresford Run. Because of its proximity, a signal is not currently in the works for Clement’s Ferry and Marina Drive.

Vaughn says this stoplight would help with her commute and the commutes of many others.

If anything is driving you crazy out on the roads, be sure to submit your inquiry here.