By Javar Juarez (CUBNSC) Columbia, SC - Today, I find myself grappling with the aftermath of a harrowing experience—one that underscores the dire state of South Carolina’s roads and the apathy of those entrusted with their oversight. As an advocate and community leader, I have long called attention to the reckless mismanagement of our infrastructure. But today, I write as someone who narrowly avoided becoming another statistic on Broad River Road.
For over two years, in my capacity as President of the Broad River Business Alliance, I have persistently urged the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, the South Carolina Department of Transportation, Senator Tameika Isaac Devine, Representative Todd Rutherford, and Richland County officials to acknowledge and address the escalating dangers on Broad River Road, particularly during the construction of Carolina Crossroads. Despite presenting extensive documentation, photographic evidence, and concrete policy proposals, my calls for intervention have been met with deafening silence.
The reality is stark—Broad River Road has devolved into a perilous stretch where accidents occur with alarming regularity. The state’s failure to implement proactive measures has created a volatile environment where drivers face unnecessary risks daily. My proposed Palmetto Drive Smart Initiative was designed to address these concerns through driver re-education, increased law enforcement presence, and infrastructural improvements. However, state officials have shown an egregious lack of urgency in responding to these issues.
This evening, I bore witness to the consequences of such negligence. While stopped at the intersection of Broad River Road and Seminole Road, a cascading failure in traffic control resulted in a near-collision that could have had devastating consequences. A motorist attempting to navigate an obstructed intersection narrowly missed striking my vehicle—only to be intercepted by another driver who absorbed the impact. The sight of his pain-stricken face, the fear in his eyes as we awaited emergency responders, will forever be seared into my memory. I held his hand, offered words of comfort, and prayed for his recovery.
Equally distressing was the plight of the young man responsible for the crash. Overwhelmed by shock and despair, he stood trembling—fully aware of the financial and legal ramifications that now loomed over him. In his anguish, I saw the reflection of so many South Carolinians—individuals attempting to navigate a system that has failed to prioritize their safety and well-being.
South Carolina remains one of the few states that has yet to implement hands-free driving laws, exacerbating an already precarious situation. Daily, we observe reckless speeding, blatant disregard for traffic signals, and rampant distracted driving. Despite the glaring need for reform, our officials remain complicit in their inaction.
Our community has tirelessly worked to reduce crime and promote economic development, yet we remain sidelined in crucial conversations about infrastructure and public safety. Officials assure us that the Carolina Crossroads project is progressing ahead of schedule—but at what cost? How many more accidents must occur? How many more lives must be upended before our concerns are taken seriously?
I direct these questions to Secretary Powell of the South Carolina Department of Transportation, to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, and to every elected official who has chosen to ignore our pleas for action. Your silence equates to complicity. I demand accountability. I demand that you recognize and address the crisis unfolding on Broad River Road. I demand immediate reforms that prioritize the well-being of South Carolinians over bureaucratic inertia.
This is not solely my battle—it is the lived reality of countless residents who fear for their safety each time they take to the road. South Carolina has long prioritized administrative convenience over human lives. That must end now.
We refuse to wait for another preventable tragedy. We reject complacency and excuses. Change will not come unless we force it.
Join us in demanding safer roads. Support the Palmetto Drive Smart Initiative. If our leaders will not take the necessary steps to protect us, then we must take matters into our own hands.
It is time for South Carolina to recognize the urgency of this issue—before it is too late.
to learn more about the SMART Drivers program visit: BroadRiverBA.ORG
All you have to do is look at the politics around broad river.. you got people that aint bout to say nothing good when it comes to the community.