Thank you for reaching out and I share the concern for safety. My sympathies are with the family’s loss and I understand why the citizens want action.

However, as the county’s traffic engineer, endorsing a petition would be a conflict with my duty to evaluate intersections impartially. I have to keep my analysis and any recommendations independent, based on data and engineering judgment. In this case, the crash report attributes the fatality to a DUI, not sight lines, signage, or geometry.

That doesn’t make it less tragic, but it does change what safety countermeasures can be addressed. The SCDOT is aware of the citizen concerns and as part of the routine screening process, they will evaluate the crash history and share those findings with the citizens and local leadership.

If the data show a pattern beyond impairment-related crashes, they can prioritize improvements through the normal channel.

I hope you and the concerned citizens can understand my position and please let me know if you have any other questions.

Kurt Walters
Greenville County Traffic Engineer

Note: The Change.org Civic Engagement Team reaches out to decision makers to let them know about petitions in their community and to help facilitate engagement with supporters. The above was an email response we received regarding this petition.