"Dark Streets" Top 5 Page for this destination Hilton Head Island Warnings Or Dangers Tip by grandmaR

We arrived in Hilton Head at dusk. We felt that the dark streets with few signs and no lights were VERY hazardous. The small mile marker signs that dot the highway as a point of reference to visitors were not much help. Fortunately it was off-season and there wasn't as much traffic.

Buildings share similar architecture, green roofs, sand colored siding. Many buildings are hidden from view from the roads. Local laws regarding the reduction of signage, and street lights makes it difficult to find the place that you are looking for, this especially true if traveling at night.

Route 278 or William Hilton Parkway is the main road. There is also a toll road which shortcuts across the island for $1.00 toll each way (photo 4). The traffic circles on the island can be a challenge. Remember to merge into the circle. Don't stop your vehicle in the circle (even to figure out a sign), because the person behind you who is also trying to read the signs will run into you.

Hilton Head comes with a LARGE number of restrictive covenants, which are written as though they are really on board with ecology.

For instance, "Light pollution ordinances are in effect across the island to protect the habitat of the loggerhead turtles which sometimes confuse the lights of dwellings and street lights with the phosphorescence of the ocean."

"Few streetlights line the roads and no road signs are lit, so if you plan to drive around Hilton Head Island after dark it would be in your best interests to familiarize yourself with the area beforehand so that you can find what you are looking for."

But combined with a complete lack of detailed maps, we found that even after we had been on the island for a week, we still got lost at night.

If you are OK with restrictive covenants of this type, then Hilton Head may appeal to you. For myself, they make my blood boil. I think the same objective could have been achieved without such a heavy hand.

Website: http://www.hiltonheadislander.com/hilton-head-travel-island-living.asp