Highway Fatalities down in Tri-County Area of Upstate

Highway fatalities are down in the tri-county area of Upstate South Carolina through the first seven months of the year.  Oconee County lists one highway death in 2013 compared to nine in 2012 at this same time.  Pickens County reports ten highway fatalities in each of the past two years at this time.  Anderson County has experienced 15 highway deaths in 2013 compared to 25 in 2012 at this same time.  As of July 28, 395 people have died on South Carolina highways, compared to 493 highway deaths in this same time period in 2012. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety announces four people were killed on state roads and highways from Friday, July 26, at 6pm until Sunday, July 28, at midnight.  Of the 270 motor vehicle occupants who have died statewide in 2013, 160 were not wearing seat belts.  Through midnight July 28, 41 pedestrians, 63 motorcyclists and 7 bicyclists have died on state roads and highways. These numbers are preliminary and are based on fatal collisions compiled by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety as of midnight July 28, 2013.