Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Beaufort, SC

Beaufort County’s scenic Lowcountry roads attract millions of tourists annually, but this influx of visitors, combined with rapid population growth, creates serious traffic hazards throughout the region. From congested Highway 278 leading to Hilton Head Island to busy intersections in Bluffton, drivers face elevated collision risks across Beaufort County’s roadways.

When negligent drivers cause serious injuries or deaths on these dangerous routes, Stewart Law Offices provides aggressive legal representation to help victims recover full compensation for their losses

Beaufort County’s Collision Statistics

Beaufort County ranks among South Carolina’s most dangerous counties for motorists, with thousands of crashes occurring each year across its growing communities. The county’s 27.36% population increase since 2010 has strained roadway infrastructure and contributed to persistent accident rates.

In 2023, South Carolina recorded 145,761 total traffic collisions, leading to 1,047 deaths and 51,638 injuries, according to the SCDPS Fact Book. With a crash occurring approximately every 3.6 minutes statewide, motorists face constant danger. Beaufort County’s crash statistics are influenced by both its population and ongoing tourist traffic.

Beaufort County recorded 3,766 total traffic collisions in 2023, including 19 fatal crashes that claimed 22 lives. The county also experienced 59 serious injury collisions that left 68 people with severe injuries, plus 986 other injury crashes that caused 1,495 additional injuries.

Recent data analysis shows Beaufort County recorded 15,489 traffic accidents between January 1, 2020, and June 16, 2024, resulting in 103 deaths and 6,314 injuries. This positions Beaufort as having the 11th highest car accident rate among South Carolina’s 46 counties.

Beaufort County’s Five Most Dangerous Roads

Several major highways throughout Beaufort County experience elevated crash rates due to heavy traffic volumes, tourist congestion, aging infrastructure, and driver behavior.

Highway 278: Beaufort County’s Most Congested Corridor

US Highway 278 stands as one of Beaufort County’s busiest and most dangerous routes. This highway connects the mainland through Bluffton to Hilton Head Island, one of South Carolina’s most visited destinations.

Heavy traffic from residents, tourists, and resort visitors creates frequent congestion along the entire Highway 278 corridor. Many crashes occur as drivers head to beaches, world-class golf courses, and historic sites. The concentration of development along this corridor has created complex traffic patterns requiring constant vigilance.

Statewide in 2023, US Primary routes accounted for 37,527 collisions, including 272 fatal collisions, making them among the most hazardous route categories. Highway 278 contributes substantially to Beaufort County’s share of these dangerous US Primary route crashes.

Highway 170: The Rapidly Growing Bluffton Corridor

Highway 170 links historic Beaufort with the rapidly growing town of Bluffton, experiencing substantial increases in traffic volume as western Beaufort County continues its explosive development. This route sees constant commercial and residential traffic throughout the day.

The sustained growth along the Highway 170 corridor has outpaced infrastructure improvements, creating bottlenecks and hazardous conditions during peak travel times. Drivers navigate this route daily for commutes between Beaufort’s historic downtown and Bluffton’s expanding residential communities.

Interstate 95: High-Speed Interstate Hazards

Interstate 95 carries enormous volumes of freight traffic through Beaufort County as it traverses the southeastern United States. This heavily traveled north-south corridor sees frequent serious crashes involving commercial trucks and passenger vehicles.

In 2023, I-95 across South Carolina experienced 2,119 total collisions, including 20 fatal collisions. The combination of high speeds, heavy commercial truck traffic, and long-distance travelers creates constant dangers along this interstate corridor.

Drivers sharing I-95 with tractor-trailers must maintain safe following distances, avoid blind spots, and expect sudden lane changes as large trucks navigate the roadway.

U.S. Highway 17 

U.S. Highway 17 passes through northern Beaufort County and has such a notorious safety record that NBC Dateline featured the roadway in a special titled “America’s Most Dangerous Roads.” The South Carolina Department of Transportation ultimately widened this two-lane segment to four lanes with a grass median, replaced bridges, enhanced roadway alignments, and upgraded intersections, including converting the US 17/US 21 intersection to a diamond interchange with a roundabout, in an effort to reduce the devastating crash rate.

U.S. Highway 21

U.S. Highway 21 (Boundary Street) runs through the heart of Beaufort and serves as the primary route connecting Lady’s Island and other Sea Island communities to downtown Beaufort and points beyond. The roadway experiences elevated crash rates at multiple intersections where turning traffic conflicts with through vehicles. The highway also carries significant tourist traffic from visitors unfamiliar with local road configurations.

Beaufort County’s Most Dangerous Intersections

Several Beaufort County intersections consistently rank among the area’s highest accident locations based on collision data:

• Parris Island Gateway and Robert Smalls Parkway top the list as Beaufort County’s most hazardous intersection. Between 2020 and 2024, this location recorded 267 collisions, making it consistently one of the two most dangerous intersections in the county. Heavy traffic converging from multiple directions creates frequent collision opportunities.
• Fording Island Road and Buckwalter Parkway experienced the highest number of serious injuries among Beaufort County intersections, with eight people seriously hurt during the recent reporting period. This intersection also reported one fatality, underscoring the severe crash risks at this location.
• Squire Pope Road and Fording Island Road represent another high-risk intersection where one fatality occurred in recent years. The convergence of these busy Bluffton-area roads creates hazardous conditions for motorists.
• Okatie Highway and West Fording Island Road recorded 79 accidents since 2020. Ongoing construction scheduled for completion aims to improve traffic flow and safety at this problematic location.
• Buckwalter Parkway intersections appear multiple times in Beaufort County’s most dangerous intersection rankings, reflecting the heavy traffic volumes this major thoroughfare carries through western Beaufort County’s development corridor.

When Beaufort County Accidents Occur Most Frequently

Understanding temporal patterns helps drivers exercise extra caution during peak danger periods. Statewide data shows Friday sees the highest number of traffic collisions at 16.8% of weekly totals, followed by Thursday and Wednesday.

The hours between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM account for the most collisions statewide as evening rush hour congests South Carolina roadways. Beaufort County’s tourist-heavy traffic patterns create particularly dangerous conditions during the afternoons.

Traffic peaks during the summer months and around holidays when visitors flood Hilton Head Island and downtown Beaufort. Planning trips during off-peak hours helps drivers avoid the worst congestion on Highway 278, Highway 170, and other busy routes.

Common Causes of Beaufort County Traffic Accidents

South Carolina collision data reveals the primary contributing factors behind traffic crashes throughout Beaufort County:

• Distracted driving serves as a major contributor to crashes near beaches, historic sites, and museums. Many drivers use mobile phones for maps while traveling to Lowcountry destinations. Even brief distractions on congested routes like Highway 170 or US 21 cause rear-end collisions and dangerous lane changes.
• Failure to yield the right of way causes numerous intersection crashes. Statewide in 2023, failure to yield served as the primary contributing factor in 30,290 collisions, including many at Beaufort County’s busy intersections.
• Driving too fast for conditions consistently ranks among the top causes of collisions. In 2023, speeding and driving too fast for conditions contributed to 37,890 collisions statewide. Highways such as I-95 and Highway 17 encourage drivers to exceed posted limits, but excessive speed remains a primary factor in severe collisions.
• Impaired driving due to alcohol or drugs significantly reduces driver judgment and reaction time. South Carolina law sets the legal blood alcohol concentration limit at 0.08%, with enhanced penalties for higher levels.
• Unfamiliarity with local roads creates additional hazards in Beaufort County. Out-of-town drivers are often unfamiliar with narrow lanes, sharp curves, and confusing intersections. Almost 14% of drivers in South Carolina traffic collisions are from out of state, with drivers from North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida leading the way.

What to Do After a Beaufort County Traffic Accident

If you are involved in a collision on a Beaufort County road or at a dangerous intersection, immediately take steps to protect your health and legal rights. Call 911 to report the accident and request medical help. South Carolina law mandates reporting accidents involving over $1,000 in property damage, injury, or death.

Exchange names, addresses, phone numbers, insurance, and vehicle details with all other drivers. Document the scene by thoroughly photographing damage, road conditions, traffic controls, skid marks, and visible injuries.

Seek prompt medical evaluation, even if injuries aren’t obvious; some serious injuries may have delayed symptoms. Thorough medical records are essential for any future compensation claim.

Contact an experienced Beaufort car accident attorney before speaking to insurance adjusters. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts by using recorded statements against victims to reduce or deny claims.

Contact Our Beaufort Car Accident Lawyers Today

The dangerous roads and intersections throughout Beaufort County put both residents and visitors at risk every day. When negligent drivers cause accidents that injure you or kill a loved one, you deserve justice and full compensation.

Don’t let insurance companies minimize your claim or deny the compensation you need. Contact Stewart Law Offices at 866-783-9278 for a free, confidential consultation about your Beaufort County traffic accident.