Neighborhood Slow Zones

Operating at a safe speed and exercising good judgment is every driver’s responsibility. Driving more slowly and carefully leads to fewer and less severe crashes and slower speeds mean cyclists and pedestrians have more time to detect and avoid cars. 

Residents, particularly families with young children, feel more comfortable walking or cycling through their neighborhood when they aren’t worried about fast-moving cars, so with school ending and summer beginning, the City is launching a new initiative to encourage safe driving habits in residential areas. 

The goal of the Neighborhood Slow Zone initiative is to improve safety on neighborhood streets by reminding people driving to slow down, look out for others and stop for people waiting to cross the street. Neighborhood Slow Zones will be identified with special signage installed under speed limit signs. Additionally, a limited number of yard signs will be available for residents in Neighborhood Slow Zones who would like to help spread the message.  

Infographic showing relationship to vehicle speed and pedestrian injury

2022 Capital Budget Targets Pedestrian Safety Projects


As part of the fiscal year 2022 budget, City Council voted unanimously to set aside $250,000 for pedestrian safety projects. The funds would be used to study areas in greatest need, then design and construct the projects identified by that process.

“Earmarking these funds for pedestrian safety ensures our children can walk to school and the park with less worry for parents,” said Councilman John DeWorken. “We are seeking to provide more protection to citizens walking their dogs, going for a jog or enjoying an evening stroll.”

Improvement options under consideration include:

  • Traffic signal control to include adaptive technology to manage speeds 
  • Rumble strips along the centerline to alert drivers if their vehicle is veering
  • Intersection improvements
  • Pedestrian signal crossings
  • Sidewalk widening to create multi-use paths for pedestrians and cyclists
  • ADA ramps
  • Lane reduction or “road diet”

The road diet, which involves reducing the roadway to three lanes, with one travel lane in each direction and a center lane for turn movements, has been used effectively on similar streets with heavy traffic, including North Main and East North streets.

The City plans to host community meetings with SCDOT traffic engineers to give residents in the affected area an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback on the measures being proposed.  

 "Our most solemn responsibility as elected officials is to ensure the safety of the citizens that we serve - this undertaking is an important and necessary step to that end,” said Councilman Wil Brasington. “We aim to scour our city thoroughfares for all existing and foreseeable safety concerns, leaving no stone unturned in the process.  The well-being and peace of mind for Greenville's pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers is our end goal here."