A new TRIP report looks at the causes and broader impacts of traffic crashes at the national and state levels. Despite reductions in vehicle travel, fatalities increased. A key contributor to these traffic fatalities is an increase in drivers engaging in risky behaviors.

South Carolina’s rates follow similar trends. The state’s fatalities spiked in 2020 and 2021 despite decreased miles traveled. However, we did see a decline in deaths last year.

It is important to note that South Carolina has seen traffic rebound and ultimately exceed 2019 figures. Vehicle travel has increased by 2.3 billion miles over the last three years to 60.2 billion miles annually.

TRIP estimates that severe and fatal traffic crashes in South Carolina in 2022 caused a total of $32 billion in value of societal harm, which includes $8 billion in economic costs and $24 billion in quality-of-life costs.

Improving safety and reducing fatalities is a team effort between all road users, law enforcement, traffic engineering/design, vehicle manufacturers, and first responders.

With vehicle travel only expected to increase in SC in the coming years, this report is a timely reminder that even with roadway design improvements and advancements in vehicle technologies, there is no replacement for safe driving habits. Safe roads begin with safe drivers.

Click here to view the SC news release, which includes links to the full report.

In the upcoming fiscal year, $775 million will be invested in the pavement program. A breakdown of funding by category is below:

• Interstates: $213 million
• Primary Roads: $327 million
• Farm-to-Market Secondaries: $148 million
• Neighborhood Streets: $87 million

Funding for primary roads, farm-to-market secondaries, and neighborhood streets is allocated at the county level. These allocations are based on the county’s relative share of lane miles in each system.

SCDOT Commissioners approved these funding levels and 367 miles of ranked project lists for reconstruction and rehabilitation of Farm to Market Secondaries and Neighborhood Streets for inclusion in the FY23-24 program. View the complete list here.

You will recall that the Primary/Major Road project list (510 miles) was approved last year because SCDOT ranks those on a two-year basis to provide visibility for contractors and local governments so they know what is in the pipeline for planning purposes. View the Primary/Major Roads approved in 2022 here. 

View Interactive Map of the FY23-24 Pavement Program

These pavement projects will be added to over 8,000 miles of pavement improvements that have been initiated since 2017.

State revenues play a critical role in funding repairs and maintenance, especially to pavements. None of these projects would be possible without revenues generated from the state’s 28.75 cents per gallon fuel tax and other vehicle/driver related fees that are solely dedicated to infrastructure.

SCFOR applauds the SCDOT for their efforts to continue to put dollars to work for South Carolinians as they tackle improvements to one of the largest state-owned road networks in the nation.