WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Study: SC roads some of the deadliest in nation

Study: SC roads some of the deadliest in nation

SOUTH CAROLINA (WMBF) - More than 4,500 Americans were killed crossing the street last year, and now a new study reveals South Carolina roadways are some of the deadliest in the nation for pedestrian traffic.

The Dangerous By Design study, completed by the Surface Transportation Policy Partnership and Transportation for America, lists the Palmetto State as the third most dangerous state for pedestrians in the nation. The study says South Carolina amounted for an estimated 200 pedestrian deaths from 2007-2008.

The state's newest traffic fatality statistics reveal only 77 pedestrians have died on South Carolina roadways in 2009, but despite the numbers being down, cities all over the state are drawing criticism for its high number of deaths.

Dangerous By Design lists Sumter as the deadliest area of the state, with a pedestrian danger index of 328.8. The North Myrtle Beach/Myrtle Beach/Conway region comes in second with an index of 250.8.

Study officials say the pedestrian danger index computes the rate of pedestrian deaths relative to the amount of walking residents do on average. Calculate the number of deaths in South Carolina, and Horry County alone contributes to 16 percent of all pedestrian fatalities.

It is, however, a statistic that some top officials along the Grand Strand claim is quite skewed.

"The ranking includes all pedestrian accidents, but when calculating the index, they ignore the fact that 14 million visitors travel to our area each year," commented Brad Dean, president of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. "[The study] essentially assumes that every accident only involves local residents, not tourists."

Whether it's residents or tourists, Tricia Cunningham knows the danger of the Grand Strand's streets firsthand. Cunningham, a resident of Myrtle Beach, lost her husband while he was crossing 7th Avenue North and Ocean Boulevard.

"He went to the ground and he was out," she remembered. "Eventually he succumbed to his injuries and died."

After her husband became yet another statistic of pedestrian-related traffic fatalities, Cunningham says something needs to be done to increase safety in Myrtle Beach.

According to Dangerous By Design, only 58 is spent per person for pedestrian-related projects across the Grand Strand. Break it down further, and that means people who walk to or from work may not have sidewalks or crosswalks when crossing the street.

While it may not seem like a large chunk of change, Myrtle Beach spokesman Mark Kruea says the city does put its best foot forward in protecting walkers with pedestrian-related projects.

"Myrtle Beach spends a great deal of money on pedestrian paths, multi-purpose paths and sidewalks," he defended.

But with over 200 pedestrian deaths in the span of two years in the Grand Strand, Cunningham still feels as if more could be done to help the situation.

"I'm actually scared to death and I've been laughed at because I'm scared to cross the traffic," she said.

For a full breakdown of the Dangerous By Design study, click here.

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