Increasing number of Highway Fatalities in Upstate

The tri-county area of Upstate South Carolina is experiencing an increase in highway fatalities this year. According to the latest figures from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, Anderson County lists 31 highway deaths in 2016 compared to 19 in 2015 at this same time. Pickens County reports 12 in 2016 compared to 7 in 2015. Oconee County has experienced 8 highway fatalities in 2016 compared to 11 in 2015 at this time. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety reports that 11 people were killed on state roadways over the weekend. As of Aug. 7, 2016, 558 people have died on South Carolina highways, compared to 578 highway deaths during the same time period in 2015. Of the 361 motor vehicle occupants who have died statewide in 2016, 176 were not wearing safety belts. Through midnight Aug. 7, 78 pedestrians have died compared to 65 in 2015; 82 motorcyclists have died compared to 87 in 2015; and 11 bicyclists have died each of the past two years on state roadways. So far, the South Carolina Highway Patrol has investigated 476 of the 558 traffic fatalities in 2016.