FLORENCE COUNTY, SC (WMBF) - A 24-year-old United States Marine died after an accident in Florence County over the weekend, and statistics show that stretch of roadway is prone to dangerous wrecks.
Following the accident, WMBF News was alerted that the particular stretch of Interstate-95 where that accident happened, seems to have an extraordinary number of accidents.
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety reported 132 accidents so far in 2012 on I-95 in Florence County.
The SCDPS reported in 2011, more than 220 accidents on I-95 in Florence County.
Drivers who drive I-95 on a daily basis said there are changes they'd like to see as a result of the high number of wrecks.
"Probably if the lanes were wider...if the road was in better condition, [or] if there were some signs showing speeds that people are going. More...State Patrols out. I know I always double check my speed when I go past police cars," driver Natalie Bates said.
The speed limit on I-95 in Florence County is 75 miles per hour. The SCDPS reported more than 50% of the accidents in Florence County were cited by the Highway Patrol as "driving too fast for conditions," a problem at least one driver said could be the reason for all the accidents.
"We're trying to get to work and get to our destination and we can all work together as a team if there was a little bit easier way of doing it. And if there's some way we can come up with a better way so it's not so congested, it would be safer for us and safer for everybody else," Dottie Barnes said.
Drivers also identify the problem as those on the roadway being unfamiliar with the area, which happens more frequently during the summer months as drivers are destined for the beach.
"I think the reason there [are] so many issues with Highway 95 is that it's not like a commuter type highway. It's mainly for vacationers and people that wanna get to a destination fast," explains driver Jay Miller. "So, what happens is everybody is all over you know, trying to go fast, wanting to get to the beach, thinking about the weekend and then next thing you know, you're either getting pulled over or in an accident."
Public safety officials encourage drivers to follow the posted speed limit and remind everyone that no destination is worth injuring yourself, or worse, becoming a victim of a fatal crash. At this time there are no plans to lower the speed limit.
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