TITLE: SCDPS Taking Extra steps for July 4^th Weekend

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 30, 2006

Contact: SGT. R.K. HUGHES, 803-896-8164

 

SCDPS TAKING EXTRA STEPS JULY 4TH WEEKEND TO PREVENT HISTORICALLY HIGH FATALITY NUMBERS

 

COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety is preparing for a 102-hour travel period this Fourth of July by alerting motorists to the high incidence of impaired drivers and the dangers of such an extended travel weekend. The travel period begins at 6 p.m. tonight and runs through midnight Tuesday.

 

“Last year, 17 people died over the course of 78 hours,” said SCDPS Director James K. Schweitzer. “This year, that travel time is extended. That’s why we are working every avenue to reach motorists and prepare them in advance for keeping themselves and others on the roadway safe this weekend.”

 

More than 60 percent of last year’s fatal collisions were DUI-related. That is why the Highway Patrol and State Transport Police, in conjunction with local law enforcement, will use the BATMobile (Mobile Breath Alcohol Testing Unit), work with local jurisdictions to conduct public safety checkpoints, and focus on roadways of concern in every Troop to take impaired drivers off the highways.

 

Motorists should ensure they have their registration, proof of insurance and license with them and ready to present to the officer if they are stopped at a public safety checkpoint.

 

“The plan is different in every region of the state because the problems are different,” said Highway Patrol Col. Russell F. Roark. “Some areas such as Orangeburg are seeing a sharp jump in pedestrian fatalities. The Upstate is seeing a rise in motorcycle fatalities. Our enforcement plans will be tailored in each area to address specific roadways and causation factors.”

 

Aggressive and inattentive driving, which can be complicated by other factors such as speed and impairment, continue to account for a disproportionate amount of collisions. That is then coupled with lack of safety belt use in most instances. Of the 355 motor vehicle occupants who have died this year, 235 were not wearing seat belts. There have been 468 total deaths (this includes non-vehicle occupants such as pedestrians, motorcyclists etc.) this year.

 

Troopers and Families of Highway Fatality (FHF) representatives will be in Rest Areas and Welcome Centers around the state

to greet the traveling public, distribute safety literature and urge safety.

 

“The goal with our Welcome Center Safety Education Initiative is to proactively orient travelers to our laws and provide helpful hints for safe travel,” Roark said. “This allows the public to positively interact with our troopers and volunteers.”  

 

Motorists are urged to promptly report suspected drunken drivers (those driving erratically, weaving in and out of traffic, speeding excessively and/or driving far below the speed limit) to Highway Patrol Communications (*HP). Be prepared with a license plate number, description of the vehicle and location including mile marker or nearest exit/intersection.