DUI, speeding, bad roads a toxic mix for South Carolina

Many years ago there was a Readers Digest feature, “There Oughta Be A Law.” Many readers of this family newspaper feel the same way about the use of cell phones and text-messaging while driving.

Any new legislation of this significance would include means to hire additional law enforcement personnel. There are laws right now, for example, about not running red traffic signal lights — obviously, law enforcement officers are busy elsewhere and do not have the time to man intersections.

So yes, there oughta be a law prohibiting cell phones and texting, but please give consideration to enforcement power needs. On the other hand, if our government (taxpayers) can afford (it can’t) to pay $7,500 rewarding buyers of electric cars, why aren’t there enough funds to enforce current laws?

It is good to read that our state is stepping up to do something about the dangerous I-95 corridor. If you are a non-believer in the need for this stepped-up traffic control, check this list of the Top 10 deadliest states, as compiled in a Readers Digest article:

1. Montana
2. Louisiana
3. South Carolina
4. West Virginia
5. Arkansas
6. Mississippi
7. Kentucky
8. Wyoming
9. Alabama
10. Nevada

If you need more convincing, here are the top 10 deadliest states for DUI:

1. Montana
2. South Carolina
3. Louisiana
4. Wyoming
5. West Virginia
6. Mississippi
7. North Dakota
8. Texas
9. Alabama
10. Arkansas

Take particular note of the number of states that made both lists.

Hold on, we are not through. The following states are rated the top 10 deadliest for speeding:

1. Alabama
2. Mississippi
3. South Carolina
4. Wyoming
5. Alaska
6. Montana
7. Pennsylvania
8. Missouri
9. Arizona
10. Texas

Perhaps another ranking that could, or could not, contribute to those statistics and rankings is a report, also reported in Readers Digest, which lists states known for Best Roads. The Top 10 are:

1. Kansas
2. Wisconsin
3. Montana
4. New Mexico
5. Utah
6. North Dakota
7. Wyoming
8. Nebraska
9. Virginia
10. Oregon

Oops! Where is South Carolina? No. 35, according to the report. North Carolina is shown as No. 36. The last state listed for “Best Roads,” is Louisiana.

Car sales brighten

Now, for the good news! Total auto industry sales in the U.S. through July are up 15 percent over 2009. Among the Detroit Three, Ford Motor Co. has performed exceedingly well with vehicle sales up 23 percent. General Motors Co. reports an increase of 13 percent and the new Chrysler Corp. is up 11 percent.

Other notable results so far this year: Toyota, plus 8 percent; Nissan, plus 25 percent; Hyundai-Kia, plus 21 percent; VW Group, plus 27 percent; BMW Group, plus 7 percent; Daimler AG, plus 16 percent; ad Jaguar-Land Rover, plus 8 percent.

Ford, GM and Chrysler also reported a surge in fleet sales for the period. This could be considered good news because “fleet sales” include sales to large and small businesses — this includes builders and contractors buying trucks and vans as well as passenger cars.

In addition, rental car companies are replenishing their fleets. Good signs for the auto industry — and the economy.

Dr. George G. Spaulding is a retired General Motors executive and distinguished executive-in-residence emeritus at the School of Business at the College of Charleston. He can be reached at 2 Wharfside St. 2A Charleston, S.C., 29401.