Report: South Carolina roads nation’s second deadliest

South Carolina’s notoriously dangerous roads have the state ranked as the second most lethal to drive in, a newly issued study shows.

But work is proceeding on repairs to hazardous areas in Horry County and its largest city through a massive gas tax hike approved by lawmakers in 2017.

The report, by medical and legal network 1-800-Injured based on 2020 data, ranked the Palmetto State in a tie with Alabama and just behind Mississippi in its “road danger rating,” giving both states a 9.59 out of 10.

“Arkansas had the higher fatality rate compared to population and the number of licensed drivers, while South Carolina had an incredibly high rate of deaths compared to vehicle miles traveled,” the report concluded.

South Carolina logged 1,064 traffic fatalities in 2020, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration overview published in March.

Over the next two years, a trio of Myrtle Beach’s most risky corridors are set to get much safer, state traffic engineers promise.

Work on Mr. Joe White Ave., 21st Ave and at two intersections along U.S. 501 — all expected to all be concluded some time in 2024 — is projected to dramatically cut down on crashes while giving cyclists and pedestrians safer passage as they traverse through the city’s heart.

Cost estimates for the projects aren’t yet known, but they’ll be covered through the state Department of Transportation’s share of federal aid.

A recent presentation to the City Council showed that between 2013 and 2020, more than 500 crashes were recorded from Mr. Joe White Avenue at U.S. 17 to U.S. 17 Business, which feeds into North Ocean Boulevard, while 21st Avenue from the same location saw 449.

Pedestrians and cyclists were involved in 23 and 20 of those wrecks respectively, while a newly released report by personal injury firm Dolman Law suggests the improvements are timely, as South Carolina ranked as the fifth most hazardous state for cyclists.

The firm analyzed 10 years of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data and found Carolina had 178 bicyclist fatalities between 2010 and 2019.

Starting July 1, motorists will start paying a 28 cent per gallon use tax, boosting the state Department of Transportation’s revenue stream for ongoing paving, safety and repair projects. The current 26 cent levy brings in about $910 million annually.

This story was originally published June 7, 2022 at 5:00 AM.