Upstate Traffic Fatalities down from Last Year

Traffic fatalities are down in the tri-county area of Upstate South Carolina. According to the latest figures from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, there have been 78 deaths on state roadways in 2017, compared to 85 in 2016 at this same time. However, Anderson County is the only one of the three counties that has seen a decline with 42 traffic deaths in 2017 compared to 57 in 2016. Pickens County lists 20 in 2017 and 18 in 2016. Oconee County has experienced 16 traffic fatalities in 2017 compared to 10 in 2016 at this same time. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety reports that as of Dec. 3, 2017, 893 people have died on state highways, compared to 953 deaths during the same time period in 2016. Of the 598 motor vehicle occupants who have died statewide in 2017, 287 were not wearing seat belts. Through midnight Dec. 3, 140 pedestrians have died compared to 135 in 2016; 109 motorcyclists have died compared to 140 in 2016; and 18 bicyclists have died compared to 25 in 2016 on state roadways.