FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 23, 2001

CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, (803) 896-8755

COLUMBIA-- The South Carolina Department of Public Safety will hold the 2000 Traffic Fatality Memorial Service on Saturday, March 24, at 10:30 a.m. at Brookland Baptist Church. The church is located at 1030 Sunset Boulevard in West Columbia.

The purpose of this service is to remember those who lost their lives on South Carolina highways during the previous year and to educate the public in an effort to prevent future loss of life on our highways.

"Too often, traffic fatalities are seen only as statistics," said DPS Director B. Boykin Rose. "The Memorial Service is a way for DPS to show that there is a human side to these numbers."

In 2000, 1061 people died in traffic crashes on our roadways. The families of these victims have been invited to remember their loved ones and to gather with others who share in similar tragedies. The general public is also invited to attend the service.

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AH/43/01

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