FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2004
CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, 803-896-8409

 

SCDPS JOINS SEVEN SOUTHEASTERN STATES FOR “100 DAYS

OF SUMMER HEAT” SPEED, ALCOHOL ENFORCEMENT

 

COLUMBIA -- The South Carolina Department of Public Safety will join its Southeastern law enforcement counterparts in an enforcement blitz over the July 4 weekend, focusing especially on alcohol and speed violations on Interstate 20. This year’s official holiday travel period will be 78 hours, running from 6 p.m. July 2 until midnight July 5. Last year, eight people died during a similar 78-hour travel period on South Carolina highways. 

 

“July 4 is one of the deadliest holidays on our highways because it falls during the summer travel season and because of the historically high number of alcohol-related collisions during that time,” said DPS Director James K. Schweitzer. “Our fatality numbers are already grim this year going into the holiday period.”

 

Eight Southeastern states, in conjunction with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, will conduct a special enforcement emphasis called the “100 Days of Summer Heat.” Enforcement will focus on all violations but place a special emphasis on speed and alcohol enforcement—the two primary killers on the highways during the summer months and the Independence Day weekend. Officials met in Atlanta this week to kick off the July 4 effort.

 

Motorists can expect to see a heavy law enforcement presence on I-20 as troopers across the Southeast team up to fight fatalities on shared interstate systems. The joint enforcement focus was on I-85 the weekend of June 18 and will be on I-95 for Labor Day weekend.

 

While the primary focus will be I-20, all available troopers will be patrolling South Carolina highways, including deadly secondary roadways, and holding public safety checkpoints during the heavily traveled Independence Day period. This is the first major travel holiday that the Highway Patrol will use troopers specifically for DUI enforcement as part of a federal grant allowing overtime for DUI enforcement, which began in June.  

 

So far this year, 492 people have died compared to 436 at this time last year; 308 vehicle occupants were not wearing seat belts.

 

The largest number of deaths over an Independence Day weekend in recent years was in 2000 when 26 people died over a 102-hour travel period.

 

“There will be a number of festivals and other Independence Day celebrations, many involving alcohol. We can not stress enough the importance of planning ahead and designating a driver,” said Highway Patrol Col. Russell F. Roark. “Weather forecasts are calling for additional rain during this time, which will further complicate matters on the already congested highways.” 

 

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