Oyster roast traffic a safety hazard

The subdivisions along Long Point Road are familiar with the increased traffic that comes with some of larger events at Boone Hall Plantation. However, the Jan. 31 annual Oyster Roast stood out. The completely inefficient manner in which traffic and parking were directed by the event organizers and the local law enforcement agencies put the safety of the public at risk.

There is no reason whatsoever that the safety of neighbors be put in jeopardy because of an event which is months in planning. Nor should our children be endangered because overflow traffic was being diverted to our neighborhood streets. And finally, there is no justification that our property be damaged because of cars parking directly on our lawns or blatantly ignoring posted DOT traffic signs by making illegal U-turns at our subdivision entrances.

The manner in which the flow of traffic and parking were handled constituted a very serious public safety hazard. In fact, some attendees who parked on Long Point Road were injured walking to their cars

and residents of one subdivision were almost run over in their own driveway.

Why was there no provision for overflow parking at the local public schools with shuttle buses bringing attendees to the event? This type of organization is customary at many events where parking is limited.

I call on the Town of Mount Pleasant, Charleston County, the organizers of the Oyster Roast and the owners of Boone Hall Plantation to immediately devise a parking and traffic plan that ensures public safety and respect for the property of taxpaying citizens in the neighborhoods adjacent to the venue before something as serious as a traffic fatality occurs.

Joel Goobich

W. Rice Planters Lane

Mount Pleasant