The document discusses the problem of traffic safety in South Carolina and proposes solutions. It notes that South Carolina now has the highest traffic fatality rate in the nation, with a crash every 5 minutes on average. While all drivers are at risk, certain groups face higher risks - teenagers have the highest death rate per miles driven, and pedestrians and cyclists are often in danger. The document recommends identifying traffic hot zones, understanding the main causes of accidents, spreading awareness of safety issues, supporting stronger traffic laws, and sharing safety messages online to help improve the situation.

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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. #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.

8. South Carolina: Dangerous Traffic Zones
• Anderson, SC (Anderson County)
Clemson Blvd.
North Main Street
Greenville Street / Highway 81
• Myrtle Beach (Horry County)
Highway 501 & Four Mile Road
Highway 17 Bypass & Palmetto Pointe Blvd.
• Richland County
SC Highway 215 & SC Highway 176
US Highway 1
I-20 and I-77
Source
• Columbia, SC (Richland County)
I-26 & I-95
Assembly Street & Huger Street
Greene Street & Williams St.
Gervais & Blossom Streets
• Charleston, SC
Savannah Highway / 17
I26 & 17
Calhoun Street
Sam Rittenberg Blvd.
• Greenville, SC (Greenville County)
Laurens Rd
I385 & North Pleasantburg Drive

9. #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.

10. #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.

11. #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.

12. #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 Informed
7 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.

13. www.LouthianLaw.com