FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 21, 2006

CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, 803-896-8409

Or Community Relations’ Officers, 803-896-8144

MORE TROOPERS ON THE ROADWAYS THIS THANKSGIVING AS TRAVEL IS FORECAST TO INCREASE

COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Highway Patrol will have more troopers on the road this Thanksgiving holiday when travel is predicted to be up due to lower gas prices. The weather forecast is calling for heavy rain Wednesday in some areas of the state, which will likely lead to increased congestion, delays and dangerous driving conditions. The official holiday travel period begins Wednesday at 6 p.m. and ends midnight Sunday.

“The weather will complicate travel especially along major thoroughfares where a fender bender can cause significant slow downs or more serious secondary crashes,” said Highway Patrol Colonel Russell Roark. “Motorists need to build in extra travel time, reduce their speed and be alert for stopped or slowed traffic.”

In addition to heavy travel Wednesday, local travel will increase Friday as people head out for the busiest shopping day of the year. This year has an added twist with the Clemson/South Carolina football game scheduled for the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This will complicate congestion in the Upstate area and on I-85. Sunday will be another big travel day as people return home.

Last year, 10 motorists were killed in collisions over the Thanksgiving holiday period. Fatalities are down going into Thanksgiving this year but have risen since summer; 917 people have died so far this year compared to 981 last year.

The Highway Patrol has additional troopers this Thanksgiving and also will boost its presence through the use of administrative personnel from headquarters and Troop offices especially during the heaviest travel times on Wednesday and Sunday. Additional manpower allows troopers to focus on proactive and preventative enforcement. Enforcement will especially focus on speed, drunken driving and occupant restraint.

In pre-travel media interviews, troopers are stressing the importance of motorists checking their vehicles to ensure they are in good working condition and advising motorists on tips to stay safe if their vehicle does break down. Pedestrian fatalities are up this year and some are due to stranded motorists not paying attention to their surroundings and others to intoxicated pedestrians walking into the roadway.

The Highway Patrol advises motorists to move a disabled or wrecked vehicle (if there are no injuries) as far out of traffic as possible; activate emergency flashers, and call *HP on their mobile phones. Typically, the safest place for a motorist is inside the vehicle if it is safely off the road. Otherwise, people should move as far away from traffic as possible and never take their eye off the traffic around them.

Motorists are encouraged to take frequent breaks during their travels. One of the primary reasons for vehicle deaths during Thanksgiving is inattention due to fatigue and long distance travel.

“People get relaxed on long trips. They begin playing with the radio, DVD player or looking away from the road and ‘zone out,’” Roark said. “This can have deadly consequences.”

Teen deaths are up statewide – especially in the Midlands. With the long holidays approaching, teens will be out of school and looking for activities. Parents are encouraged to keep a close watch on their teens’ travels -- ask where they are going, with whom and set a strict curfew ensuring they are off the roads before the late night/early morning hours. Most of the fatal collisions during the late night/early morning hours are due to fatigue or drunken driving. Teens are not prepared to react as quickly or defensively to trouble on the highways because of their driving inexperience.

Troopers and some Families of Highway Fatality members will be at rest areas and Welcome Centers to distribute safety literature and educate visitors about South Carolina traffic laws and to advise them of heightened enforcement. **MEDIA: Some of these events are typically held outdoors. Please check with CRO to ensure there are no cancellations due to inclement weather.

ROAD

Place

CITY

FHF

DATE

TROOPER

TIME

Troop 1

I-26 Westbound

Rest Area

Lexington County

yes

11/22/2006

L/Cpl. Robinson

11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Troop 2

I-385 5 MM

Rest Area

Laurens County

11/22/2006

L/Cpl. Edgeworth

9 a.m. – Noon

Troop 2

I-26 63 MM Eastbound

Rest Area

Newberry County

yes

11/22/2006

Edgeworth

1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Troop 3

I-26 Southbound

Rest Area

Spartanburg County

11/22/2006

L/Cpl. Marsceau

10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Troop 3

I-85-Northbound Exit 1

Welcome Center

Oconee County

11/22/2006

L/Cpl. Hiles

10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Troop 4

I-77 Southbound

Welcome Center

York County

yes

11/22/2006

Cpl. McDougald

9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Troop 5

I-95, 199 MM Southbound

Welcome Center

Dillon County

yes

11/22/2006

S/Tpr. Collins

10 a.m.-Noon

Troop 6

I-26 Westbound MM203

Rest Area

Berkeley County

11/21/2006

Cpl. Brouthers

11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Troop 6

I-26 Westbound

Rest Area

Berkeley County

11/22/2006

Cpl. Brouthers

11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Troop 6

I-95, MM5 Northbound

Welcome Center

Jasper County

11/22/2006

Lt. Collins

11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Troop 7

I-20 EB

Welcome Center

Aiken County

yes

11/22/2006

L/Cpl. Clinton

11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

For driving safety tips, please refer to our link: http://www.schp.org/general_hwy_tips.pdf. Please credit the South Carolina Highway Patrol.