Road maintenance funding needs new formula

It is the consensus that the roads in South Carolina are not in good condition and are deteriorating at a quickening pace, yet very little definitive action has been taken. Some facts: the present 18-cents per gallon tax was passed in 1989; the miles-per-gallon average has increased by approximately 13 percent since 1989; the cost of highway construction has gone up approximately 240 percent; and the CPI index of inflation has increased approximately 200 percent.

Given these factors it is evident that to properly maintain our roads changes are needed. We need to determine the percentage of responsibilities of city, county, state, and federal using the lane miles of usage by vehicle type, traffic control needs, safety, and growth. Then we need to develop taxing methods that charge by the miles driven by each vehicle taking out of consideration fuel efficiency.

In this manner everyone pays their fair share for usage. Consideration of vehicle weight and type would also be considered in determining the amount of the tax since heavier vehicles cause more damage.

This story was originally published August 26, 2015 at 4:33 PM with the headline "Road maintenance funding needs new formula."