Horry County road safety: Paint by the numbers

I know South Carolina has launched a campaign to reduce traffic fatalities and I commend the sate for that, but there are some very simple solutions that can be implemented immediately.

U.S. 501 is perhaps the most traveled road in Horry County. It is used by locals and tourists and is so unsafe. One simple inexpensive answer is to paint the lane dividers with a reflective paint. I'll even donate a paintbrush. Between U.S. 17 Bypass and the outlets, the paint is nearly gone. We have tourists and seniors with diminished night vision driving these roads daily. Also, there are no breakdown lanes. If a driver must pull over, he may find himself in a ditch. This is known to have happened.

I know highway lights are expensive, but a few strategically placed lights could prevent many accidents. If the gasoline tax is raised, and I feel it should be, then a substantial part of the money should be used to improve 501. Again, a can of reflective paint and a paintbrush is a good start.

This story was originally published January 12, 2016 at 8:04 PM with the headline "Horry County road safety: Paint by the numbers."