LEXINGTON COUNTY, SC (WIS) - Things are slowing down on a dangerous portion of Highway 6 after two children were killed in an accident last year and residents asked for change.
The speed limit on South Lake Dr. between New Orangeburg Rd. and Bethany Church Rd. was lowered from 55 mph to 45 mph in December after WIS took residents' concerns to the Department of Transportation.
In late October, Cameron and Haley Upchurch died after their grandfather pulled in front of a car while trying to turn into a private driveway on that stretch of road, according to investigators. Authorities concluded that the driver of the other vehicle, Robert Craft, was legally drunk, but was driving slightly below the posted 55 mph speed limit when the collision happened.
Road data we looked at showed in that 1.5 mile stretch there had been 96 accidents in five years -- a little more than an accident a month. And while DOT officials could not say if that was high in comparison to volume of traffic, neighbors felt it was more than enough to warrant change.
Residents said they often felt scared to even attempt pulling out onto Highway 6 because of the speed of many motorists. They believed dropping the speed limit to 45 would make a difference and, after a road survey, that's just what DOT officials did.
DOT officials said when completing a road survey they take into account several factors including development, the number of accidents on a road, and the average speed of a motorist.
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Cameron Upchurch (L) and Haley Upchurch
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