The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) encourages citizens to report intersection and roadway issues where safety improvements can be made. While the agency can’t act on every tip or suggestion, the “open door policy” is an attempt to make S.C. roads safer and improve public confidence.
SCDOT takes calls at 864-241-1010 and can also be contacted via its website. It’s here that you can ask questions through a contact form about construction, traffic cameras, and general road safety.
That’s exactly what it seems residents of the Spartanburg/Greenville area have done in regards to a particularly troublesome intersection on Fairmont Avenue.
According to News Channel 7, where Fairmont Avenue connects with Highway 290 there exists a serious danger zone. Making a left onto the highway, as many commuters into Spartanburg do, is extremely dangerous. One resident calls it a “death trap.”
SCDOT is responding to complaints and has ordered a full evaluation of the intersection. Next month, SCDOT officials will be at the corner to investigate peak traffic, obstacles and vehicle speed to determine what can be done.
But the decision to make a change as seemingly simple as a traffic light doesn’t come easy, according to the news report:
All the data will be analyzed and federal regulations must be followed as to where and when traffic lights and signs can be installed. Data from the previous three years will be looked at and the Department of Transportation receives that data from the Department of Public Safety.
“It’s important to make sure the traffic light will help,” said Dillon (Eric Dillon of the DOT). “The majority of the time accidents increase when you install a new light because people aren’t used to it,” he said. “Five right angle crashes (or T-bone crashes) means you have a problem.”
While most South Carolina car accidents are not caused by flaws in road design or the lack of traffic signals, some could be prevented with safer intersections. Having represented South Carolina drivers who have been involved in car accidents, the attorneys with Maguire Law Firm know that no two car accidents are the same. We are dedicated to helping injured people with their legal issues following an accident.
If you were hurt in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, whether it was at a heavily traveled intersection or a rural roadway, we may be able to help.
Contact our South Carolina law offices today to discuss the specifics of your accident with one of our attorneys and to see how we can assist you during this difficult time.
