Spartanburg, in South Carolina, is a very active region with a rising population and an increase in the flow of traffic.
Despite the availability of many transportation ways and means for the people of the city and tourists, some roads and crossroads of the city are very much prone to accidents.
These risky areas pose threats to all road users and as such, it is important to know areas that are most likely to experience a hazardous event.
It will also help the community to be safer and reduce the number of accidents that occur on the roads, especially at intersections.
Spartanburg, S.C. In the past five years, there have been more than 50,000 crashes in the county, according to Spartanburg officials. Over 1,000 of those crashes led to fatalities or serious injuries.
Spartanburg Traffic Accident Statistics
Spartanburg County has recorded a constant rate of traffic accidents within the past few years with some particular roads and intersections being prone to traffic accidents.
Based on the information from the news and the official South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS), the county is among the most accident-prone areas in the state. These statistics are attributed to factors such as a rise in population density, more people driving, and complicated traffic flow.
Most of the accidents that occur in Spartanburg include rear-end collisions, side impacts especially at the junctions, and pedestrian accidents.
Crossing points especially at inter-sections are considered hazardous since they attract high traffic density and are characterized by challenging turns, lights, and crosswalks.
Also, higher speed limit roads, and those that are poorly lit at night, are likely to experience more severe crashes.
Thus, by pointing at the most risky segments of roads and intersections, we can contribute to increasing people’s awareness and the corresponding activity of both drivers and city authorities to implement safety measures.
Causes of Road and Intersection Hazard
The following are some of the reasons that make certain roads and intersections in Spartanburg so dangerous.
These factors often combine to create a perfect storm of risk for drivers and pedestrians:
Heavy Traffic Volume
This is because traffic flow during rush hours has a higher tendency to cause an accident than at other less busy times.
This is because roads with high daily traffic include major highways and business districts where congestion, sudden stops, and aggressive driving behaviors increase the risk of accidents.
Poor Road Design
A number of roads and intersections in Spartanburg have not been constructed for the current traffic intensity, and therefore the lanes are marked in a confusing manner, merges are awkward and some of the lanes are too narrow.
Signalized intersections with no turn lanes or confusing markings pose a high risk of accidents to the drivers.
Inadequate Traffic Signals
This means that traffic signals that do not allow enough time for turning maneuvers or traffic signals that are out of synchronization pose a risk of collision.
Lack of signals such as pedestrian and cyclist crossings also remains a big hazard, especially in areas with high traffic.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
High-speed roads especially those within the vicinity of intersections are more dangerous than low-speed zones. High speed in combination with reckless behaviors including distracted driving or running through red lights increases the accident rate in some areas.
Knowledge of these factors allows seeing why some roads and intersections in Spartanburg are safer than others.
If you want to learn more about the most dangerous roads and intersections in South Carolina you can visit our blog.
Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Spartanburg
Some of the roads and intersections in Spartanburg, Greenville are particularly dangerous because they are associated with high accident frequency rates.
Such places are characterized by high traffic, poor road design, and a high likelihood of risky maneuvers, which results in high accident rates.
I – 85 at US Highway 29
Interstate 85 or i-26 is one of the most congested roads in Spartanburg, with fast-moving traffic with many changing lanes which are very dangerous.
This is especially so because the interchange at U. S. Highway 29 poses a particularly high risk because of the confusion that arises from traffic interchanges.
Camelot Drive at John B. White Sr. Boulevard
The site of the project is located at John B. White Sr. Boulevard and Camelot Drive, and the latter road is among the most dangerous roads in Spartanburg.
There is no provision for dedicated turn lanes and hence it becomes very risky for drivers especially when the roads have a lot of commercial activity.
The first one is Reidville Road at E. Blackstock Road.
Reidville Road is another main road in Spartanburg that is also considered very hazardous especially where it crosses E. Blackstock Road.
There is poor signal timing at the intersection and a lot of traffic which causes so many side impact collisions.
Asheville Highway at New Cut Road (U. S. Highway 176)
The Asheville Highway is a high-traffic area and dangerous road that has several black spots.
The most dangerous junction is New Cut Road because of the several lanes of traffic and the merging of lanes.
East Main Street at Pine Street
Pine Street intersection is one of the most dangerous in Spartanburg since East Main Street is one of the most crowded roads.
This urban intersection has a lot of traffic both of pedestrians and vehicles, and most of the accidents that occur are as a result of red light infringements and wrong turns.
Recent Major Accidents in Spartanburg, South Carolina
Spartanburg has experienced a few fatal mishaps on some of its most lethal roads and intersections, thus increasing the call for further improvements in the safety standards.
These mishaps show that traffic, poorly constructed roads, and inappropriate driving styles are dangerous. Here are a few notable examples:
Interstate 85 Accidents
A multiple-car pile-up was on the I-85 near the U. S. Highway 29 interchange and this led to the death of several people. This was due to the high speeds and traffic jams that were occasioned by the rush hour.
This unfortunate incident serves to remind drivers of the hazards of driving on this heavily choked highway especially when trying to negotiate through the traffic.
Car Strikes and Kills Pedestrian at East Main Street
At the crossroads of East Main Street and Pine Street, one pedestrian was knocked down and seriously injured. The driver who was using his phone at the time swerved through a red light and knocked down the pedestrian who was crossing the road.
This accident exposed the fact that pedestrians are very vulnerable at this very busy intersection, more so during rush hour.
Tragic Accidents; Three-Car Crash On John B. White Sr. Boulevard
A serious accident on John B. White Sr. Boulevard at Camelot Drive which involved three cars, a Chevrolet Tahoe, a GMC Yukon, and a Chevrolet Trailblazer, was a rear-end collision.
It was a result of a driver who wanted to make a left turn from a lane that was not a designated turning lane thereby causing an accumulation of an accident.
Several people were injured and the accident revealed that there was a need to have better turn lanes and signal timing at the intersection.
T-bone Collision on Reidville Road at E. Blackstock Road
The T-bone accident occurred at Reidville Road and E. Blackstock Road where one of the drivers disregarded the traffic signal and proceeded through the red light and hit the side of the other car.
This is because the traffic light at the intersection was improper and the intersection was a busy one, which caused the accident. Luckily there were no deaths but the two drivers were critically injured.
What to Do if You Are Involved in an Accident in Spartanburg
After a car accident happens, it can be a traumatic event and can break a person psychologically, physically, and financially but being in a position to handle it is very important to safeguard one’s self.
Here’s what you should do if you’re involved in an accident in Spartanburg:
Ensure Safety First
The first thing that you have to do when there has been an accident is to make sure that all the people who are involved are safe.
If possible, the driver should pull over the car, and park it in a safe zone, for instance, the shoulder of the road. Switch on the hazard lights so that other drivers on the road can see you and if possible place the flares or cones.
Look for Injuries and Get Medical Help
Look for injuries in you and other people. The fact is that even if the person feels pain only slightly, he or she should go to the doctor as some of the injuries may have no symptoms at first.
In case anyone is hurt, dial 911 and for any reason do not move anyone from the scene if they are injured.
Call the Police
Inform the local police about the accident that had happened. In Spartanburg, it is necessary to have a police report so that the insurance company can be contacted and the details of the crash recorded.
Give the police the facts about what happened and do not say that you were at fault because it will be ascertained during the investigation.
Exchange Information
Collect information from the other drivers involved in the accident; their full names, phone numbers, driver’s license numbers, registration numbers of the vehicles, and insurance details.
If there are any witnesses, they should also be requested to provide their contact details since they might be of use at some point.
Document the Scene
Record images of the accident scene, the damages to vehicles, the state of the roads, traffic lights, and any signs of the injuries.
They can also be used when dealing with insurance companies or making legal claims on the property.
Consult an Attorney
If you have been involved in an accident and the accident results in injury or the causes of the accident are many, it is advisable to seek the services of a car accident lawyer.
An attorney is necessary for your claim to assist in going through the legal procedures, dealing with insurance companies, and getting the right compensation for the damages or injuries.
Feel free to call us at 864-804-6330 for a free consultation to learn how we can help if you’ve been involved in an accident on one of Spartanburg’s dangerous roads or intersections.
