Fewer Traffic Fatalities in the Tri-County Upstate

There have been fewer traffic fatalities in the tri-county area of Upstate South Carolina this year than last. According to the latest figures from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, there have been nine deaths on state roadways in 2018 compared to 14 in 2017 at this same time. Anderson County lists four deaths in 2018 compared to nine in 2017. Pickens County reports two in 2018 and four in 2017. Oconee County has experienced three traffic fatalities in 2018 compared to one in 2017 at this same time. As of March 4, 130 people have died on South Carolina highways, compared to 175 highway deaths during the same time period in 2017. Of the 96 motor vehicle occupants who have died in 2018, 55 were not wearing seat belts. Through March 4, 18 pedestrians have died compared to 27 in 2017; 12 motorcyclists have died compared to 16 in 2017; and two bicyclists have died compared to four 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 midnight March 4, 2018.