Life in the Palmetto State: Just who is driving this bus anyway?

This offering this week will be a bit out of the norm for me. This is really not my style to point fingers, but this I think needs pointing out. And yes, it will come across negatively to begin with, but read on to the end and see if you agree with my premise.

Have any of you reading this know where Dabb's Crossroads is?

It's where Highway 378 and Highway 527 intersect. It is situated just east of the Black River somewhat between Brewington Road and Interstate 95 in Sumter County.

By any chance, have you ridden by there lately?

Well, for the last several months, construction crews have been reconfiguring the flow of traffic patterns through this major intersection.

I cannot, for the life of me, understand the thinking behind it.

I realize the paramount responsibility of South Carolina Department of Transportation is safety in any regard, but I don't think it's even safe.

Allow me to explain what I have observed.

Traffic heading north and south on Highway 527 can no longer go straight across. Drivers have to turn to their immediate right across two busy lanes of traffic and merge into the paved median. Then turn left across two more lanes of traffic and proceed north or south on Highway 527 or continue on Highway 378 whatever the case may be.

Now for these quick little SUVs and sedans, that is not too daunting, but think about the 18-wheeler traffic.

There is only so much room in the median for these waiting trucks, and if the drivers don't gauge the traffic flow correctly, then they become more of a danger to free-flowing traffic than they were before.

And by the way, they have constructed paved overruns, I suppose they are called, in the event that these long trucks can't make the tight turn required to head east or west on Highway 378 or north or south on Highway 527.

Now, I will admit that over the years there have been some nasty, even fatal, collisions at this intersection.

For the most part, I would think the accidents were based on several factors, two of which are not paying attention and not correctly gauging traffic flow.

However, in reality, logistically speaking, you had less than 200 feet you had to critically maneuver to cross Highway 378. You were probably in harm's way for about 10 seconds, and the choices were easy.

Now, you not only have extended time in free, fast-moving traffic, but you also have to maneuver through a maze of concrete barriers and paved overruns to get you where you are going. I find it difficult enough in broad daylight to engage, but think about rainy nights when conditions are severe. I can only imagine the dangers that this will cause.

I have seen only one other traffic pattern like this, and it is below Santee on Highway 301 close to Lake Marion High School. I have no idea of its success rate. Hopefully it is good.

I hate being critical of anyone or entity in our great Palmetto State, but I just can't wrap my head around the thought process it takes to design something so seemingly devoid of common sense.

That goes for those ridiculous traffic circles, too. I really have a problem with them.

Lest I forget the traffic flow pattern barriers in front of the Sonic in Manning on Highway 261, I not only don't understand the reasoning behind it, I bet if you polled the businesses affected by it, they hate it.

Business and retail traffic largely thrive on ease of access.

Yes, some patronization is deliberate. The customer wants something particular from a specific store and traffic barriers won't deter them, but undecided shoppers will move on down the road for convenience.

Last, but not least, yes, Uncle Charley, I agree with you about the rumble strips in the middle of the road. I don't like them either. However, if they keep our drivers and pedestrians safe, then I suppose they are worth it.

I am sure after some of you read this article, you will argue with me about my stand on this subject.

So, let me leave this with you to consider.

In our free world, there will be instances when collisions are an imminent threat. That could also be culture, mindset or generational fusing. Life is fraught with the possibility of damage, minor to severe. But in my mind, overreaction can be just as detrimental.

Please don't put this paper down thinking I am callous to safety.

I'm not, but no matter how hard we try, we cannot eliminate all dangers we face in our world today.

May God bless you!

Lee Reaves Jr. is president of Clarendon County Historical Society.