South Carolina Department of Public Safety

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 17, 2008

CONTACTS: SID GAULDEN 803-600-8119; BEVERLY HARRIS, 803-896-9958

conference to address highway safety issues

BLYTHEWOOD – Law enforcement officials and highway safety advocates will gather in Columbia next week for the 2008 SC Highway Safety Conference to explore solutions to traffic-related issues with the goal of reducing motor vehicle deaths and injuries.

The SC Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) is spearheading the multi-day conference, which will be held Tuesday through Thursday, September 23-25, at the Radisson Hotel Columbia and Conference Center, 2100 Bush River Road at I-20. The conference is expected to draw more than 300 attendees from around the state and feature local, state and national speakers.

SCDPS collaborated with several state agencies and other organizations to offer a variety of general sessions and workshops. The SC Criminal Justice Academy (SCCJA) is offering several 60-minute workshops to increase the knowledge base of law enforcement officers.

The conference, which begins at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 23, 2008, will feature the following:

• A discussion, presented by the SC Department of Motor Vehicles, of the challenges facing state and local agencies with the increased use of specialty and unconventional vehicles, such as mopeds and golf carts. This session begins after the opening ceremony on Tuesday.

• The ThinkFast Awareness Game Show, presented by TjohnE Production, Inc., of Grand Rapids, Mich. Participants will have the chance to play and learn how this and other interactive, high-tech games can be used to teach young drivers about safe driving. The show begins 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

• A mock DUI trial, presented by the SC Commission on Prosecution Coordination (SCCPC), with arguments from the prosecution and defense. The trial, complete with a judge and jury, begins 3 p.m. on Wednesday.

• The Traffic Safety Officers Graduation, presented by SCCJA, will honor law enforcement officers who have completed and been certified this year in specific training courses related to traffic safety. The ceremony begins 11:30 a.m. on Thursday.

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety includes the Highway Patrol, Office of Highway Safety, State Transport Police, Bureau of Protective Services and Office of Justice Programs. Our mission is to ensure public safety by protecting and serving the people of South Carolina and its visitors.

 Click here for Audio Clip