FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 21, 2007

CONTACT: Community Relations’

Officer for your Troop, 803-896-8144

SC PEDESTRIAN FATALITIES CLIMBING FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR;

HIGHWAY PATROL EXPANDING ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM STATEWIDE

COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Highway Patrol will begin making more frequent contact with pedestrians walking in the roadways as part of its SEE (S)top, (E)ducate and E(nforce) program as pedestrian fatalities, including hit-and-runs, continue climbing for the third straight year. South Carolina has had 20 pedestrian deaths this year compared to 16 at this time last year. There have been three hit and runs in recent days.

SEE (STOP, EDUCATE and ENFORCE) began in the Troop 4/Chester area as a pilot project in 2005 to reduce pedestrian fatalities. In the first year of its implementation, pedestrian fatalities dropped 43 percent. Other Troops throughout the state have begun adopting the program.

Most people don't understand pedestrian laws. While pedestrians do have the right-of-way in designated crosswalks and under certain conditions, they are not allowed in the roadway. State law mandates that they remain on the sidewalk or the far shoulder of the roadway.

The idea behind SEE is to first make contact with pedestrians who are walking in the roadway. Educate them about the laws. And then, enforce depending on the circumstances such as public intoxication.

Most pedestrian crashes occur during the traditional peak travel times. However, two-thirds of fatalities occur at night. In 2006, there were 125 pedestrian fatalities. Richland, Horry, Charleston and Greenville counties consistently post the highest fatality pedestrian numbers. Orangeburg had a major jump last year with eight pedestrians killed compared to two the previous year.

"Pedestrian deaths are by and large not occurring with joggers, walkers and people crossing city streets who tend to take a defensive posture when interacting with traffic," said Highway Patrol Col. Russell Roark. "People are getting killed on rural roadways at night, wearing dark clothing. Many of them are intoxicated and already lying in the roadway."

Other common patterns with pedestrian fatalities:

they are occurring on poorly lit, rural roadways.

pedestrians are either in the roadway already or step into the path of the vehicle;

often intoxicated, which impairs vision and judgment;

vehicle speed and/or alcohol sometimes involved;

vehicles in rural area are often accustomed to striking debris in the roadway i.e. deer, dog etc. and may not realize they’ve actually hit a person, especially if the person was lying in the roadway already; motorists should always check to see what they've hit. Notify law enforcement/EMS immediately if a pedestrian is struck.

In a study conducted, in part, by Clemson University published in 2004 (Wood, Tyrrell and Carberry), the authors concluded that pedestrians overestimate their ability to be seen at night and anticipate that the driver will react properly. Some other conclusions from that study include.

most collisions occur at night; major problem: drivers’ inability to detect pedestrians with adequate distance for evasive maneuver to avoid them;

older drivers do not see pedestrians as easily as younger drivers and they are much closer to the pedestrian before spotting them; this has serious implications on reaction time.

pedestrians greatly overestimate their ability to be seen by drivers thus causing them to behave in dangerous ways such as crossing a road inappropriately, jogging along the shoulder of the road instead of a sidewalk.

Safety Tips:

motorists use high beams when possible; makes significant difference in ability to spot pedestrian in non-reflective clothing;

motorists should be on the lookout for pedestrian activity and be prepared to react;

pedestrians should always wear retroreflective clothing at dusk or night; retroreflective markings are engineered to reflect light back in the direction of its source;

place retroreflective material on areas of movement such as elbows, knees, and ankles in addition to the chest; it's easier to see the movement of the pedestrian;

at the very least, wear white clothing;

Additionally, the Highway Patrol cautions motorists to consider how the loss of sleep brought on by daylight savings' time can affect their driving. People are more likely to have longer days because of the additional day light sometimes leading to fatigued, inattentive drivers.

SAS Output