Grassroots Effort for Safer Roads in Greenwood County 

Grassroots Effort for Safer Roads in Greenwood County
Greenwood, S.C. – Greenwood County received a new all-way stop this week and its arrival is thanks in part to a
 grassroots effort between a concerned citizen and a Greenwood County Councilman.
The intersection of Bucklevel Road and Airport Road will be a little safer since the all-way stop went into place yesterday, July 19. This addition will improve safety as well as peace of mind for all travelers, one being Chris Edwards whose determination helped make this improvement happen.
“My father was involved in an accident at this intersection,” Edwards said. “Thankfully, he wasn’t injured, but it could have been very bad. This wasn’t our family’s first incident at this intersection – in fact, just a few weeks before my daughter barely avoided an accident at the same location, and my wife and I both have experienced close calls over the years.”
After his father’s accident, Edwards reached out to South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) to inquire about what could possibly be done to improve the intersection, which then led to a conversation with his councilman, Dayne Pruitt. After a few months of conversations between state and county employees, Edwards and Councilman Pruitt the intersection received the requested all-way stop.
“This is why I’m on County Council,” Greenwood County Councilman Dayne Pruitt, said. “To be able to listen to issues that are going on in my district and to be able to play a role in making corrections when they are necessary. I am thankful for the help we received from SCDOT. Improving the safety of our roads for our community members and our visitors is a wonderful thing and I’m glad that I got to be a part of this effort.”
Councilwoman Edith S. Childs also has a personal connection to this stretch of road and how dangerous it can be. On February 14, 2000, her son, Larmont Childs, was driving on Airport Road while impaired and was involved in a single car accident. His car went off the road, flipped several times and left him paralyzed from the waist down.
“Anything that we can do to make our county roads safer is important,” Childs said. “Perhaps if there had been a three- way stop at this intersection 22 years ago, maybe this accident could have been avoided. My son’s accident left him paralyzed from the waist down, but thankfully God allowed him to be functional and he was able to raise his two sons. We all must remember that drinking and driving has consequences. I want everyone to make wise choices and stay safe while on the road, and I am grateful for this new improvement that will help do just that.”