Tri-County Traffic Fatalities on rise

Highway fatalities are on the rise in the tri-county area of Upstate South Carolina. According to the latest figures from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, Oconee County has experienced 12 highway deaths in 2014 compared to three in 2013 at this same time. Pickens County lists 11 in 2014 and 14 in 2013. Anderson County reports 43 highway fatalities in 2014 compared to 33 in 2013. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety reports as of Dec. 21, 776 people have died on state highways, compared to 746 highway deaths in this same time period in 2013. Of the 545 motor vehicle occupants who have died statewide in 2014, 258 were not wearing seat belts. Through midnight Dec. 21, 101 pedestrians, 83 motorcyclists and 14 bicyclists have died on state roads and highways.