MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - Myrtle Beach Police say many traffic accidents during peak season involve foreign students who come to the Grand Strand to work and learn about the U.S. According to police, most of those accidents can be prevented.
Hospitality and tourism leaders met Wednesday to discuss issues surrounding foreign workers, and one of the many topics included safety.
Last summer at least one accident took the life of a Ukrainian student who authorities say was riding a bike against traffic on Kings Highway when a car hit her.
Police and employers say sometimes a cultural barrier is what leads to accidents, since many international students aren't used to the rules of the road in the U.S.
"They are used to in their countries when you are not driving, not in a car you are right. So you can just jump in the road," said Anita Wiley, a trainer for Lacks Beach Service and former international student herself.
Employers like Wiley, who rely on the foreign students, say they take extra steps to make sure their workers are safe on the roads.
"I tell them how to use bikes, where to get them and where to not get them. We talk about what safety to use and this is a part of our training," Wiley said.
Many students walk or ride bikes to get to and from work and where they're staying and police say that's why drivers should be extra careful.
"You don't necessarily have to go the speed limit. You can go under the speed limit and you'll be fine, especially when you're down on Ocean Boulevard, in the center of town on Kings Highway," said Officer Orion Cozene.
Cozene says something as simple as slowing down in busy areas can be enough to save a life.
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