Working Together to Improve Road Safety in Columbia, SCBy: Bert & Herb Louthian (Columbia, SC)

Car Accidents aren’t New.

Why the Hype?Despite common knowledge and awareness of vehicle accidents on our roads, the

problem is getting worse in South Carolina. While other states are working to improve safety for citizens, we continue to drop the ball.

South Carolina is now tied with West Virginia with the highest traffic fatality rate in the nation.

Understanding the Scope of the Concern

• There is a traffic collision in S.C. every 5 minutes. Source

• There are two fatal accidents every 24 hours in South Carolina.

• In S.C., a teenage driver is involved in an accident every 1.6 hours.

• Every 28 hours someone is killed by a drunk driver in our state.

We can become numb to the stats, but recognize that accidents don’t discriminate – we are all at risk.

Vehicle Accidents Don’t Discriminate

• Older Driver?Data shows drivers over 70 are actually safer

than their middle-aged counterparts. But, our

older citizens are 5x more likely to be killed in a

pedestrian accident. The “silver tsunami” will

result in a doubling of South Carolina’s aging

population by 2030. They may be safer drivers,

but they have more cause to worry about other

drivers and our safety laws. Source

• Teenager?For all the bad press about teenage drivers, their

middle-age parents are more likely to text-and-

drive and are involved in more traffic accidents.

However, car crashes continue to be the

number one cause of death among teens.

Teenage drivers have a 1 in 1,500 chance of

dying in a wreck. Source

cont…Vehicle Accidents Don’t Discriminate

• Pedestrian? Cyclist?A 2014 study by AARP found that South

Carolina was in the top 5 states for highest

fatality rates of pedestrians and cyclists.

If you walk or bike in South Carolina, you

should be concerned about making our roads

safer – for your own sake and others’.

Source

• Motorcyclist?As you likely know, riding is both exhilarating

and risky. But, bikers are the safest drivers on

the road! It’s the other drivers that are most

often at-fault in crashes.

The stats hit close to home for motorcyclists

when you consider that a biker is killed in South

Carolina every 3.5 days.Source

What Can Be Done?

It should be clear that regardless if you are a teenager, older driver, bicyclist, ride a motorcycle or simply walk the streets – we are all at risk.

Since we are all at risk, we all have a stake in improving the safety of our roads in South Carolina.

#1: Identify Traffic ‘Hot Zones’

• Greenville County, Charleston County, and Richland County had the most traffic accidents, injuries and fatalities statewide.

• Interstates are not the most dangerous – our secondary roads have twice as many fatalities and 4x as many collisions.

• Most dangerous interstates include:I-26, I-85 and I-95.

There are particular traffic trouble spots throughout South Carolina. Focusing attention on these problem areas allows for solutions to be implemented.

South Carolina: Dangerous Traffic Zones

• Anderson, SC (Anderson County)Clemson Blvd.North Main StreetGreenville Street / Highway 81

• Myrtle Beach (Horry County)Highway 501 & Four Mile RoadHighway 17 Bypass & Palmetto Pointe Blvd.

• Richland CountySC Highway 215 & SC Highway 176US Highway 1I-20 and I-77Source

• Columbia, SC (Richland County)I-26 & I-95Assembly Street & Huger StreetGreene Street & Williams St.Gervais & Blossom Streets

• Charleston, SC Savannah Highway / 17I26 & 17Calhoun StreetSam Rittenberg Blvd.

• Greenville, SC (Greenville County)Laurens RdI385 & North Pleasantburg Drive

#2: Understand the Causes of Vehicle

Accidents in South Carolina

1. Driving Too Fast for Conditions

2. Failed to Yield Right-of-Way

3. Distracted / Inattention

4. Drunk Driving

5. Followed Too Closely

6. Disregarded Signs / Signals

Source

Much needed attention is being paid

to repairing South Carolina’s roads

and bridges. But, according to the SC

Department of Public Safety, the

primary contributing factors in car

accidents are under the control of the

driver – not road conditions, not deer,

not mechanical or weather. We have

no one to blame but ourselves.

#3: Spread the Word

With new knowledge, you can help change the dialogue with your family, friends and neighborhood. Don’t Buy-In to the Myths:

FALSE: ‘Teens Drivers are the Worst at Texting while Driving!’TRUTH: Parents text more while driving than their kids.

FALSE: ‘Old Ladies are Terrible Drivers.’TRUTH: Older drivers are more safe than their younger counterparts.

FALSE: ‘Roads Today are Safer Because Newer Cars are Safer.’TRUTH: The cars may be safer - but not the drivers.

#4: Support Safer Traffic Laws & Enforcement

Highway Safety Laws Needed in South Carolina:

1. All-Rider Motorcycle Helmet Law

2. Booster Seat Law Through Age 7

3. Teen Drivers: Minimum Age 16 for Learner’s Permit; Passenger Restriction Provision; Stronger Cell Phone Restriction Provision; Age 18 for Unrestricted License

4. Ignition Interlock Law for All Offenders

Source

While we, as drivers, can significantly reduce traffic accidents, injuries and fatalities by changing our driving behavior (see previous slide about accident causes), changes to our laws can help.

There is no question that seatbelt laws have saved thousands of lives. Supporting additional safety measures is responsible.

#5: Share the Message Online

S.C. Target Zero – Website | Video Survey

Around S.C.

Fix Our Roads – Political Action for Road

Improvement. Website

Stay Informed7 Reasons Why Driving in South Carolina is a Real Trip

7 Tips For Safe Senior Driving

Top 10 Tips for Parents of Teen Drivers

There are many quality online

resources to visit and share with

others.

Make use of the information and

participate in helping make our

roads safer for everyone.

www.LouthianLaw.com