Upstate Traffic Fatalities on pace with Last Year

Traffic fatalities in the tri-county area of Upstate South Carolina are on pace with last year, according to the latest figures released by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety. Anderson County list 25 in 2018 and 24 in 2017. Oconee County reports 10 traffic related deaths in 2018 compared to 8 in 2017 at this same time. Pickens County has experienced 7 fatalities in 2018 and 13 in 2017. As of July 22, 516 people have died on South Carolina highways, compared to 569 highway deaths during the same time period in 2017. Of the 366 motor vehicle occupants who have died statewide in 2018, 183 were not wearing seat belts. Through July 22, 72 pedestrians have died compared to 82 in 2017; 54 motorcyclists have died compared to 63 in 2017; and 9 bicyclists have died compared to 10 in 2017 on state roadways. These numbers are preliminary and are based on fatal collisions compiled by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety as of 11:59pm on July 22, 2018.