SCDPS urges Safe Holiday Travel

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety is reminding motorists that troopers and officers will be increasing enforcement to prevent collisions especially caused by drunk and aggressive driving during the long holiday weekend. The official holiday travel period began Wednesday at 6pm and runs through Sunday at midnight. This is a 102-hour travel period. Last year, the travel period was only 30 hours and five people died on the highways during that time.  Overall highway fatalities are down in the Palmetto State.  There have been 341 fatalities this year compared to 416 deaths at this time last year. Motorists will see more proactive enforcement in conjunction with local law enforcement and the State Transport Police.  Violations that are problematic during the July 4th travel period include impaired driving, speeding, failure to yield the right of way, and improper lane change.  According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, failure to buckle up continues to be a leading cause of death in fatal collisions and buckling up is the single best safety measure for motorists, every trip, every time.