S.C. Highway Patrol troopers are urging motorists, pedestrians and even vehicle passengers to exercise patience with traffic at and around Darlington Raceway this weekend.
SOUTHERN 500
Get the latest at the track from WBTW News13's Matt Lincoln and the Morning News' Lou Bezjak:
ON THE GO?
Are you heading to the infield on race day but still want to be in the know? Or did you get stuck at work and can’t make it down to the track? We’ve got you covered. Visit http://www.darlingtonracing.mobi on your web-enabled cell phone or PDA and you’ll get all the latest from the Darlington Raceway. We’ll have blogs, videos, track information and pictures sent in by you and your friends right from the track. Just bookmark the link above on your mobile device, or text the word “racing” to 82672. It’s complete coverage from the track, right in the palm of your hand.
More than 70,000 people are expected to attend the races in Darlington on Friday and Saturday, so everyone should expect heavy traffic and delays, S.C. Highway Patrol Lance Cpl. Sonny Collins said.
“We anticipate a larger number of motorists, especially on Saturday,” he said. “Friday night, we expect a pretty good number, but Saturday is the biggest night of the raceway weekend.”
Exactly how much congestion there will be depends on the rate at which the race fans come into the track, Collins said.
In years past, the traffic begins very early and gets heavier as the day goes on.
“If you are coming to the racetrack, allow yourself some extra time and be patient and listen to what the troopers are asking you to do,” Collins said. “More than anything, we see driver impatience. You just have to understand that when you come to an area like the racetrack on race weekend, there’s a tremendous amount of people going to one location.”
Darlington County Sheriff Wayne Byrd said patience also is needed to reduce the risk of injury.
“We would like to see patience, not patients,” Byrd said in a press release.
People who aren’t going to the race should steer clear of roads around the track, such as S.C. 151, Rogers Road and Indian Branch Road.
“Local residents should use another way or alternate route to avoid the race fans coming in and out of the track,” Byrd said. “That will certainly keep them from having any delays.”
Once race fans arrive at the track, they should remember to lock their doors and a secure all valuables, Byrd said.
Additionally, race fans shouldn’t illegally use handicapped parking spaces, which are meant for those with special needs, the sheriff said. Anyone else caught using the spaces could have their vehicle towed and be charged a large fine.
Law enforcement officers are concerned about traffic crashes because the race is at night and there will be many pedestrians walking to vehicles in parking lots.
“To reduce your risk of injury, drink responsibly and be aware of how much you have had to drink,” Byrd said. “There are long walks to and from the track and this ... makes you more susceptible to injury from falling down or even being struck by a car.”
“We ask motorists to watch out for pedestrians, and we ask pedestrians to make sure they walk on the left shoulder of the highway facing traffic,” Collins said. “That’s where the law states they must walk.”
If someone should need to cross a roadway on foot, they should go to an area where troopers will be stopping traffic periodically to allow pedestrians to cross the road, Collins said.
In addition to roadway safety, people should avoid brawls started after a race because of the spirit of competition, according to Byrd’s release.
“With the competition on the track, not everybody’s favorite driver will win,” he said. “Walk away from confrontation.”
The highway patrol will be working with the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office and the Darlington Police Department to control traffic. Signs have been place along roadways to inform motorists of the most direct routes to the raceway.
“It takes every agency,” Collins said. “Starting on Friday, people will start to see troopers posted at intersections near the racetrack.”
There also will be air support in the area above the racetrack relaying traffic information to authorities on the ground, Collins said.
— Staff writer Jamie Rogers can be reached at (843) 317-7266. Comment on this story at www.scnow.com.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement