How can state reduce traffic fatalities?

Traffic fatalities in South Carolina spiked sharply last year. Sadly, they appear on track to do so again this year.

There were 813 fatalities on state roads in 2014. That figure rose to 943 in 2015.

More people died in traffic accidents in 2015 than any year since 2007, when more than 1,000 people were killed.

This year, however, South Carolina is slightly ahead of the number of roadway deaths last year. As of Monday, 820 people had died in crashes compared to 819 at the same time last year. Sadly, a Chester teen lost his life in a crash south of Rock Hill on Tuesday.

The numbers are up in both York and Chester counties as well. While York County had 18 traffic fatalities in all of last year, 32 people have died on York County roads during the first 10 months of this year with the deadly holiday season before us.

Chester County, with 17 fatalities so far this year has surpassed its total of 16 for last year.

No single factor accounts for the increase. But a variety of factors help explain the tragic uptick in traffic deaths.

One, according to S.C. Highway Patrol officials, is simply more drivers on the roads, a problem exacerbated by cheap gas. The more people, the more chances for accidents.

The poor quality of the state’s roads also contributes to rising fatalities. Nearly half of fatalities on S.C. highways since 2011 occurred when a vehicle ran off the road, according to the S.C. Department of Public Safety. And one in every five of those fatalities involved a driver running off the road and hitting a tree.

When drivers run off the road, there often is too little space to slow down or stop. Drivers run into trees, plow into an embankment or flip into a ditch.

Creating more so-called “clear zones,” strips that allow drivers room to recover if they run off the road, would cut down on deaths. But state lawmakers have not shown the political will to improve the road system and make it safer.

Drunken driving, as always, is a significant factor in highway deaths.South Carolina consistently has one of the highest drunken-driving rates in the nation.

As in any year, the number of this year’s fatalities might have been prevented with a little more common sense. Of the 528 people killed in motor vehicles in the state so far this year, about half weren’t wearing seat belts.

While hard figures are not available, distracted driving also has to be a factor in the rising traffic deaths. Drivers, especially younger drivers, too often try to use electronic devices while behind the wheel.

It’s clear that they can’t do both safely. The state needs to restrict cell phone use while behind the wheel and enforce the law.

Don’t blame state troopers for the increase. The Highway Patrol has put more troopers on the roads during the last year, and they are writing more citations than last year.

The enforcement is there, but drivers need to do their part. They need to voluntarily obey speed limits, buckle up, stay alert, not drive while intoxicated and not try to text friends while driving.

Again, no single factor is responsible for the increase in traffic fatalities. But if we can begin to address all the various reasons for wrecks – including dangerous roads – perhaps the state can reverse this unfortunate upward spiral.

This story was originally published November 2, 2016 at 7:27 PM with the headline "How can state reduce traffic fatalities?."