Roadway Fatalities down in Tri-County Upstate

Roadway fatalities are down in the tri-county area of Upstate South Carolina. According to the latest figures from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety there have been 10 deaths in 2018, compared to 15 in 2017 at this same time. Anderson County reports 5 in 2018 and 10 in 2017. Pickens County lists two in 2018 and four in 2017 at this same time. Oconee County has experienced three traffic fatalities in 2018, compared to one in 2017. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety announces as of March 11, 145 people have died on state roadways, compared to 193 deaths during the same time period in 2017. Of the 106 motor vehicle occupants who have died statewide in 2018, 58 were not wearing seat belts. Through March 11, 22 pedestrians have died compared to 32 in 2017; 13 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 on March 11.