SC, FL at top of rural road fatalities

Sep 3, 2011

Seven of the nation’s top 15 top states with the highest rural road fatality rate were in the South, according to a new report by the Associated General Contractors of America. South Carolina had the nation’s top rate of rural road fatalities, followed by Florida (2), Arkansas (4), Kentucky (7), North Carolina (11), Tennessee (13) and Louisiana (15).

According to the new report, which can be found through this news release link:

“Employers understand all too well that when rural roads crumble, bridges deteriorate and safety declines, virtually every aspect of the American economy suffers,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America. “The best way to boost our economy, support private sector growth and cut unemployment is to pass a new surface transportation bill.”

“The report, “Rural Connections: Challenges and Opportunities in America’s Heartland,” found that the highway fatality rate on the nation’s rural roads was 2.31 deaths for every 100 million vehicle miles of travel, three times the fatality rate on all other roads. The report also found that 55 percent of the nation’s rural roads were rated poor, mediocre or just fair. And 23 percent of rural bridges were either structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.”