CHARLOTTE, N.C. (March 21, 2017) – According to new research from TRIP, driving on deficient roads costs South Carolinians a total of $5.4 billion annuallyin the form of additional vehicle operating costs, congestion-related delays and traffic crashes. TRIP suggests that increased investment in infrastructure improvements couldboost safety, improve congestion and support long-term economic growth for South Carolina.
Last Tuesday, the Senate Finance Committee approved the comprehensive roads bill, H.3516. The bill now heads to the Senate Floor for debate.
“AAA urges policymakers to pass the comprehensive roads bill to maintain South Carolina’s roadways, so that we can improve driver’s safety and mobility today and well into the future,” said AAA Carolinas President and CEO Dave Parsons.
According to the TRIP report, 29 percent of South Carolina’s major locally and state-maintained urban roads and highways have pavements in poor condition, while 35 percent are rated in mediocre condition. Nineteen percent are in fair condition, with the remaining 17 percent rated in good condition.
These poor conditions create unsafe conditions for motorists. From 2012-2016, 4,406 people were killed in traffic crashes in South Carolina. South Carolina’s rural roads have a traffic fatality rate that is nearly four times higher than on all other roads in the state.
To read the full report from TRIP, click here.
AAA Carolinas, an affiliate of the American Automobile Association, is a not-for-profit organization that serves more than 2 million members and the public with travel, automobile and insurance services while being an advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.
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