According to news reports, troopers that patrol South Carolina’s roadways on a regular basis are able to list multiple reasons why the deadliest rural roads in America are in South Carolina.
Among the most common reasons listed are iPods, texting devices and those that drive while intoxicated. There are also drivers that refuse to wear their seatbelts and motorcyclists that don’t wear helmets. Officials say that all of these reasons display a general pattern of inattentiveness. According to a recent report from the Associated General Contractors of America (AGCA), South Carolina ranks first in the country for rural road fatality accidents.
South Carolina Highway Patrol Cpl. Bob Beres said, “It’s not the roadways that’s the danger, it’s the person.”
The Associated General Contractors of America suggest that the state modernize thousands of miles of deadly rural stretches without waiting for the government to do it. AGCA spokesman Brian Turmail said, “Even if the pavement is good, a road may be missing a guard rail.” Turmail claims that many of the state’s roads “are missing a lot of the safety features you see on an interstate highway, like guardrails and wide shoulders.” Placing the state’s focus in those areas, he said, could go a long way in making travel safer.
As a Spartanburg car accident lawyer , I’m aware of the elevated levels of fatality accidents in our state and urge all drivers to be vigilant in their safe driving practices. As a reader, how do you feel safety could be improved on our roadways? If you’ve been injured in an accident that was the direct result of another driver’s negligent actions, it may be in your best interests to contact a car accident lawyer in your area.