In a recent city council meeting, Dr. Joe Aniello, a retired educator from Francis Marion University, addressed the council with concerns regarding traffic safety in Florence, particularly focusing on the use of golf carts and the running of red lights. Aniello, who is relocating to New Hampshire after 21 years in the area, expressed his worries about children operating golf carts on busy streets without proper safety measures, such as seat belts and lights. He highlighted instances of unsafe behavior, including children riding at high speeds and infants being held inappropriately.

Aniello urged the council to consider implementing stricter regulations for golf cart usage to prevent potential accidents, emphasizing the need for proactive leadership in addressing these issues before they escalate into serious incidents. He also noted an alarming trend of drivers running red lights, suggesting that extending the duration of green lights could mitigate the risk of collisions at intersections.

Council members acknowledged Aniello's concerns, with one member recalling a previous discussion with a representative from the State Department of Transportation, who advised treating red lights as stop signs due to widespread disregard for traffic signals. The council expressed gratitude for Aniello's contributions to the community, including his involvement in downtown redevelopment and the Pecan Festival, before moving on to the next agenda item regarding a water issue raised by another resident.