South Carolina Highway Facts

Did You Know?

• In 2006, the last year data is available, South Carolina highways were the sixth most deadly roads in the nation.
• An average of three people die on South Carolina roads every day.
• About 85% of all crashes occur on primary and secondary roads, not on interstates.
• A recent report concluded that each South Carolina motorist spends an average of $265 annually – $791 million statewide - in vehicle repairs as the result of poor road conditions.
• Nearly one-third of South Carolina's primary and interstate highways are now in poor or mediocre condition.
• Approximately half of our secondary roads are in poor or mediocre condition.
• One out of every five bridges in the state is considered deficient.
• In 1970, state-source highway funding represented 17% of the state budget. Today, it represents less than 7%.
• South Carolina has the fourth largest state-maintained highway system in the nation. Nationally, only 19% of all highways are under state ownership. In South Carolina, 62% of all highways are under state ownership. Yet, South Carolina taxpayers contribute less state source revenue ($131) than the national per capita average ($202).
• Federal funds are limited in how they can be used. They cannot be used for routine maintenance and must be used on roads that contribute significantly toward interstate commerce.
• A portion of federal funds must be used for the enhancement of highways or they will be lost. Landscaping is part of the federally mandated "Highway Enhancement Program." SCDOT uses "Keep South Carolina Beautiful" tag funds plant wildflowers on the Interstates. This is not at the expense of the maintenance budget.
• Approximately 50% of state highway system is NOT eligible for federal funds.
• SCDOT’s primary source of revenues is the state and federal motor fuel user fee (90%). For the past 5 months those revenues have declined in SC as compared to the same months last year. Estimates indicate an anticipated 3-5% decline this fiscal year, which translates to $30-$50 million less for road and bridge construction and maintenance.
• Nearly all other states augment their Highway Programs with other dedicated non-fuel tax revenues.
• The state motor fuel user fee has been 16¢ per gallon since 1987. This is the fourth lowest in the nation. It has remained flat while the Consumer Price Index has grown 90% and traffic has grown 65%.
• Unlike the state sales tax, when gas prices go up, fuel revenues go down. Improved fuel efficiency also causes fuel user fee collections per mile to drop (12% between 1990 and 2000 due to improved efficiency).