Five killed on SC Roadways over Christmas Holidays

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety announces a preliminary number of five persons killed on state roadways during the Christmas holiday reporting period, which started Dec. 22, at 6pm and eneded Dec. 25, at midnight. As of Dec. 26, 952 people have died on South Carolina highways, compared to 1,011 highway deaths during the same time period in 2016. In 2016, eight people were killed on South Carolina roadways over the Christmas holiday travel period, which ran Dec. 23-26. Locally, the South Carolina Department of Public Safety lists Anderson County with 43 traffic fatalities in 2017 compared to 57 in 2016 at this same time. Pickens County reports 20 in 2017 and 19 in 2016. Oconee County has experienced 17 roadway deaths in 2017 compared to 10 in 2016 at this same time. Of the 636 motor vehicle occupants who have died statewide in 2017, 307 were not wearing safety belts. Through midnight Dec. 26, 152 pedestrians have died compared to 145 in 2016; 113 motorcyclists have died compared to 149 in 2016; and 19 bicyclists have died compared to 25 in 2016 on state roadways.