Traffic Fatalities on the rise in Tri-County Upstate

Traffic fatalities are on the rise in the tri-county Upstate of South Carolina. According to the latest figures released by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, Anderson County lists 23 deaths in 2018 compared to 22 in 2017 at this same time. Oconee County has experienced eight traffic fatalities in 2018 compared to seven in 2017. Pickens County reports five in 2018 and eight in 2017 at this same time. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety reports as of June 17, 440 people have died on state roadways, compared to 478 highway deaths during the same time period in 2017. Of the 316 motor vehicle occupants who have died statewide in 2018, 159 were not wearing seat belts. Through June 17, 62 pedestrians have died compared to 63 in 2017; 43 motorcyclists have died compared to 48 in 2017; and seven bicyclists have died compared to eight 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 11:59pm on June 17, 2018.