Gov. Mark Sanford of South Carolina visited a deadly local highway today. Since 1997, more than 30 people have been killed in motor vehicle crashes on US Highway 17 near Gardens Corner. In fact, just last Tuesday another woman was killed.

Gov. Sanford met with local victim's families and people in the community to announce new safety measures. Starting today, highway patrol will be increasing its visibility on that 22-mile stretch. They're adding six motorcycle units to try to cut down on fatalities and wrecks, an effort many victim's families are eager to see happen.

"It's a start, but it needs to get better," said Gladys Fields. "We need it widened. We need a bigger highway."

This special enforcement will collect data for three weeks, then that will be used to come up with a permanent solution.

Gov. Sanford spoke of putting up caution signs to warn drivers and possibly rerouting tractor-trailers off the highway.

Reported by: Jaime Dailey, jdailey@wtoc.com