SC Highway Patrol launches Target Zero

The South Carolina Highway Patrol is launching a Target Zero enforcement effort in the last months of 2013 called Operation Fourth Quarter. Fans in South Carolina love football and fans know that the game can often hinge on what happens in the fourth quarter.  “Football is a game but we are dealing with real life and death situations on our roadways,” said Highway Patrol Col. Mike Oliver. “The Fourth Quarter of the year is often the toughest for us when it comes to preventing highway deaths. We often come out of summer with encouraging highway safety trends but begin seeing a shift around October and the time change. We are doing all we can to prevent that tragic turn this year.” The Fourth Quarter enforcement and education effort began October 28 and there will be specialized enforcement efforts geared toward reducing collisions, injuries and deaths throughout November and December. Motorists can expect to see more troopers concentrating on areas that are consistently high in crashes. This can range from interstates to secondary roadways. The leading traffic violations that are causing collisions and deaths on the highways are speed, inattention, drunk/impaired driving and failure to buckle up. Fourth Quarter reminds motorists not to become complacent and let down their guard. The SC Department of Public Safety is asking motorists to act as team players with our troopers and officers to prevent death on the highways.