Letters: Make walking safer

I don’t believe the record number of people, including pedestrians, being killed on SC roadways in 2015 is due solely to “the economy improving,” as stated in an Aug. 19 story in The State. Obvious to anyone driving here, the major reasons contributing to so many deaths, besides reckless drivers, are the poor state of our roads, as well as insufficient guardrails, highway lighting, and lack of shoulders to our highways.

Other factors, at least in Lexington County, regarding pedestrian deaths are the lack of public transportation and sidewalks. In the case of sidewalks, they are especially needed around our schools. Using Lexington High School for example, there are no sidewalks for the students to get to and from the school. Students must walk on the busy roads or in the high weeds along the roads.

As it is, a student could live within easy walking distance to their school, but they must be driven or risk being killed. Crossing U.S. 1 is a whole other matter, as there are no crossing guards or crosswalks.

With more housing developments being built near the Lexington and River Bluff schools, creating a safe walking environment for our children should be a priority.