The latest fatality on U.S. 17 should spur state
transportation officials to enact interim safety measures for the
dangerous stretch of highway in Beaufort and Colleton counties. A report
that the deadly accident was the result of a tractor-trailer crossing the
center line is further reason to ban large trucks on the highway.
Some Department of Transportation officials express skepticism that
trucks can be banned from the federal highway by the state. If not, state
officials and the congressional delegation should work overtime to get
federal regulators on board.
If trucks can be banned from the old Grace Memorial Bridge because of
unsafe conditions on that span, also part of U.S. 17, there should be no
impediment to banning them along the 22-mile stretch of U.S. 17 until the
four-lane project can be complete.
A secondary route, traveling south, would include the state highway
between Jacksonboro and Walterboro to I-95. The loss of time and
inconvenience would be slight, particularly in view of the diminished
danger along the narrow portion of U.S. 17.
The fact that the highway, from Charleston to Garden's Corner,
traverses the districts of three highway commissioners should virtually
ensure support from the DOT board for needed safety measures. Second
District Commissioner John Hardee, who represents Beaufort County, tells
us he is "willing to look at anything" that will improve safety conditions
on the highway.
Mr. Hardee has requested a study of speeding along U.S. 17 and that
highway patrolmen strictly enforce the speed limit. He supports the
installation of "rumble strips" along the center line to warn motorists
when they are heading into the opposing lane of traffic.
Each safety recommendation has merit, but none would provide the
dramatic improvement of diverting heavy truck traffic, which comprises an
estimated 20 percent of the vehicles on the heavily traveled roadway. A
simple ban on trucks until permanent improvements can be completed would
immediately reduce driving hazards on U.S. 17 and at little public
expense.