10 Reasons Charleston, SC Area Traffic is Concerning and How to Adjust

By Mark A. Leon

Whether you live in the Tri-County or plan to move here and you are embarking on your research, you have heard the anecdotal comments on social media outlets about how bad the traffic is in the Lowcountry .

We feel there needs to be more context to truly understand the concerns and potential dangers.

It is not new to anyone that South Carolina is one of the fastest growing states in the U.S. and Charleston is the heart of this growth with residency and new housing stretching to the coastal regions and west bound.  

Let us dig a little deeper and provide the specific issues that are causing the “traffic” pain points.

1. Charleston is becoming a hot region for retirees.  Older cautious drivers will continue to be a major part of the driving population during daylight and early evening hours.  Many will drive at or under the speed limit and make mistakes feeling the pressures from other drivers.  
2. It is common for drivers to  come to an almost complete stop to make a right turn off a major roadway.  Be prepared and keep a safe distance.
3. On major two-lane roads, it is normal behavior to see drivers at or just above the speed limit in the left lane.  The traditional thinking that the left lane is for passing only is not as prevalent in the Lowcountry.
4. Intersection traffic lights are timed out based on daily traffic patterns.  For example, if you are at a light looking to turn into a major roadway during rush hour, you may wait 4 minutes and your light will remain green for less than 10 seconds.  These patterns do force some drivers to turn after the turn even after the signal goes red to avoid the long waits.  The Lowcountry transportation commission has built in a 2 second delay with most signal changes.
5. Lane changing signals are sparsely used so don’t take it personally.
6. Structurally, we are an intracoastal community with roads designed to have traffic limits.  As we continue to grow, we will test those limits.  If you are on a bridge or downtown, leave space between cars if you don’t understand the roads.
7. We have drawbridges.  Remember that a boat will stop traffic both ways and you will need to be prepared for these stoppages.
8. With continuous commercial and residential development, port deliveries, landscaping and festivals/events heavy commercial trucks and vehicles are on the roads all hours of the day.
9. Rolling stops are very common and pose one of the greatest dangers for pedestrians.
10. Charleston is one of the hottest tourist destinations in the nation and lately, there isn’t even much of an off-season.  First time or infrequent visitors do not know the Charleston roads.  They will daydream, make illegal turns in the middle of the road, and potentially put other cars in harm’s way.  Be careful.

If you understand these specific behaviors and make proper adjustments, you will be safer on the roads and hopefully we can all be respectful of one another as we look for solutions to the changing demographics and population growth.