Statesboro’s most crash-prone intersection could soon become a proving ground for cutting-edge traffic technology, as the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) begins installing a radar-based “dilemma zone” detection system at the intersection of Fair Road and Veterans Memorial Parkway.
The pilot program, first revealed by City Manager Charles Penny during the June 17, 2025 City Council meeting, is designed to reduce the number of collisions at the busy crossing—particularly those caused by drivers unsure whether to brake or accelerate as the light turns yellow.
“This is one of the most dangerous intersections in our community,” Penny told Council members. He explained that the new technology, which GDOT is preparing to pilot in Statesboro, can detect when a vehicle is approaching during a light change phase and delay the red light to give drivers more time to safely exit the intersection. The goal is to reduce angle and rear-end crashes, which frequently occur at that location.
In a follow-up statement to Grice Connect, Jill Nagel, District Communications Officer for GDOT, confirmed that the system is now being installed.
“Georgia DOT is currently installing a dilemma zone detection at the intersection,” Nagel said. “This will be in the form of radar detection that detects vehicles meeting specific criteria (speed, distance), after which the signal phase (green) will be extended.”
The so-called "dilemma zone" refers to the split-second decision drivers face when a light turns yellow and it’s unclear whether they can safely stop in time or proceed through. The radar system is designed to recognize these moments and react in real time.
GDOT’s goal is to have the system fully operational by the start of the 2025–2026 school year. Once installed, the Department will conduct periodic evaluations to monitor its performance and collect traffic data from the intersection.
Crash data supports the urgency of the upgrade. As reported earlier this month, the intersection led the city in total crashes in 2024, with 135 incidents. It topped a list of five high-risk intersections along Veterans Memorial Parkway, a growing corridor of concern for both drivers and safety officials.
While GDOT is managing the installation, Penny noted that the City of Statesboro will continue to coordinate on implementation and could serve as a model for deploying this smart signal technology in other Georgia communities.
“This technology helps address a very real problem,” Penny said. “We have drivers who are trying to make it through the intersection on yellow—or even red—and then get stuck in the middle when the light changes. That’s where crashes happen.”
The intersection is among the most heavily traveled in Statesboro, connecting Georgia Southern University, shopping centers, and multiple neighborhoods. Fair Road serves as a primary east-west corridor, while Veterans Memorial Parkway (State Route 67) loops around much of the city’s commercial and residential development.
Though no Council vote was required for the project, Penny indicated that more updates will follow as GDOT finalizes the installation and review process.
