SC needs to get serious about traffic deaths

As 2017 draws to an end, South Carolina continues to experience a chronic epidemic of vehicular collisions that result in death and serious injuries. As usual, we rank among the worst in the nation. In most cases, death or serious injury could have been avoided if additional, logical safety measures were employed.

The numbers are both shocking and shameful. South Carolina ranks No. 1 in the nation for deaths per highway-mile driven and No. 2 for people killed in alcohol-related accidents. Our motorcycle fatality rate is No. 2. We have the third-highest number of people killed by running off the road and are first in tree-related fatalities. Half of those killed were not wearing a seat belt.

The solutions are not difficult or expensive. Stronger more realistic DUI laws, mandatory helmet use by motorcyclists, better ways to keep motorists on the road coupled with forgiving roadsides (clear of any fixed objects) and a much higher penalty for not wearing a safety belt (currently a mere $25 per violation) would reduce fatal collisions dramatically.

Yes, all states must cope with distracted drivers, but almost all of them do a much better job of addressing these basic dangers than we do. Our traffic fatality count for 2017 is more than 900. Will we reach 1,000? Our state can do much better, and improvements are needed now to stop the needless traffic deaths and injuries.

This story was originally published December 15, 2017 at 8:00 AM with the headline "SC needs to get serious about traffic deaths."