Upstate Highway Fatalities increasing

A month before the busy summer driving season begins; the South Carolina Department of Public Safety announces highway fatalities have increased in the Upstate from this same time last year. In the local tri-county area, Oconee County lists five highway deaths in 2015 compared to three in 2014 at this same time. Pickens County reports five fatalities in each of the past two years. Anderson County has experienced 11 highway deaths in 2015 and 9 in 2014. As of May 3, the South Carolina Department of Public Safety reports that 291 people have died on state highways, compared to 250 highway deaths during the same time in 2014. Of the 214 motor vehicle occupants who have died in 2015, 105 were not wearing seat belts. Through midnight May 3, 34 pedestrians have died compared to 24 in 2014; 25 motorcyclists have died compared to 21 in 2014; and 7 bicyclists have died compared to 4 in 2014.