Green Light Changes for Aiken Intersections

Aiken, SC—Uniquk Wilkins crosses carefully at mid-day traffic time.

Uniquk Wilkins, Aiken: “Very busy, it gets very busy. It’s hard to cross the roads; people don’t like to let you go.“
   
But she’s quick to add that it’s a lot easier to get around on foot, than try to drive through these intersections.

Wilkins: “You know, it’s kind of difficult, when you’re trying to get through, and all that traffic is kind of blocking, it’s kind of you know”…(shakes head).
 
Turns out, her confusion isn’t so unique.

Chief Pete Frommer, Aiken Dept. of Public Safety: “We’ve seen over the years an increase in traffic accidents. Basically it’s because people don’t understand when you can stop and go. Because downtown you have circles and squares, and you do one thing for circles, and another thing for square. With the new light system in there, you’ll do the same thing for everything.“
 
The traffic system downtown is more than 25 years old…but pretty soon, DOT crews will equip these lights with state-of-the art timers, cameras, and monitoring systems.
   
They’ll sense when cars are there, and during busy times, shorten—or lengthen—the lights, according to traffic patterns.
   
Aiken is also getting more pedestrian signals…nine intersections will get the walk and don’t walk signs.
   
And when it comes to all those circles, squares, turn left on red, ok to go on red at second light…..

Wilkins: “Very confusing!“ 
   
The lights will soon help out puzzled drivers, by getting rid of oncoming traffic. It will soon just be one light green at a time, only one lane moving at a time.

Joy Howe, Reporting: “So no more yielding, when you go around a circle for cars?”
Chief Frommer: “Correct, they’ll be some signage, but you do what the lights say…we’re taking all the guesswork out of it.“ 08.26.25
   
And that’s something Uniquk is ready for.
Wilkins: “I’ll be the first one to try them!“

The crosswalk signs are being put into place now. The traffic lights should be up-and-running by January.