The Highway Patrol's planned crackdown on speeders along a hazardous portion of U.S. 17 recognizes the extent to which simply obeying speed laws would limit accidents on that highway. Indeed, the fatality rates related to speeding on South Carolina roads generally should encourage more enforcement statewide.

Gov. Mark Sanford, who announced the crackdown on Friday, has weighed in on the issue to the extent possible, considering his limited authority on transportation matters. His example should be followed by members of the state Transportation Commission as solutions are sought to improve the hazardous roadway.

A permanent solution will be achieved when the planned four-laning of the road is accomplished, but that is still many months in the future. We're assured, at least, that the permitting process that is preliminary to construction is well under way.

Second District Commissioner John Hardee, whose district includes Beaufort County, tells us that he wants the State Infrastructure Bank to examine how funding can be provided the project to ensure its timely completion. Mr. Hardee also supports a number of interim measures, including the installation of rumble strips along the center line, to warn drivers who inadvertently venture into the oncoming lane.

According to eyewitness reports, the latest fatal accident, which occurred Tuesday, was caused when a motorist lost control while attempting to avoid a tractor-trailer truck in the driver's lane.

Commissioners also should consider a proposal to divert heavy truck traffic off the 22-mile section of highway between Jacksonboro and Gardens Corner. The quickest alternative route would be S.C. Highway 64 between Jacksonboro and Walterboro, connecting there with I-95.

Critics of that idea note that Highway 64 also is a narrow, two-lane road, and wouldn't necessarily be any safer than U.S. 17. But Highway 64 does have the benefit of being far less traveled than U.S. 17.

According to DOT traffic counts, U.S. 17 carries 11,000 vehicles a day, and Highway 64 about 4,300 a day. Diverting heavy trucks, estimated at 20 percent of the traffic on U.S. 17, would still leave Highway 64 with substantially fewer vehicles than U.S. 17. The temporary diversion of truck traffic to Highway 64 warrants a serious look.

The response to recent fatalities on U.S. 17 shows that the problem now has the attention of various agencies and officials, including the governor. That focus should be maintained until interim safety solutions are fully in place, and construction is under way to provide a safe corridor through coastal Colleton and Beaufort counties.