Letter: Dangerous driving must be stopped

All I want to do on a Friday morning is attend 8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church in Bluffton. Traveling U.S. 278 is the only way to go.

Entering U.S. 278, I join behind a pack of vehicles held at the traffic light. All goes well as speeds pick up to 45 mph. I’m not delayed by the light at Okatie Crossing, and I keep up with traffic as speeds grow to 62 mph as we approach the intersection with S.C. 170. Attempting to drive at 55 mph posted speed would make one a hazard.

Passing Island West, it is prudent to begin merging left, expecting the pack to be delayed at the Buckwalter Parkway signal, just prior to my turn into St. Gregory. Traffic speeds continue to be 62 to 65 mph. Traffic is rapidly approaching from the rear, with a probable mindset that “slower traffic should keep right.” Never mind that your turn signal is flashing your intent to turn left as Buckwalter comes in view you will be tailgated.

These speeds and aggressive driving are not safe at any time on these sections of U.S. 278 and only end in collisions and injury almost daily.

What you almost never see unless there is an accident is a police presence. Something more must be done to slow these ever-increasing speeds and aggressive drivers. Please, please, please, elected officials: help, help, help.

This story was originally published April 11, 2016 at 10:48 PM with the headline "Letter: Dangerous driving must be stopped."