Upstate Roadway Deaths holding Steady

Roadway deaths in the tri-county area of Upstate South Carolina are holding steady. According to the latest figures from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, Anderson County has experienced 39 traffic fatalities in 2018 compared to 34 in 2017. Oconee County reports 14 roadway deaths each of the past two years at this same time. Pickens County lists 16 in 2018 and 19 in 2017. As of Oct. 28, 2018, 840 people have died on South Carolina highways, compared to 820 highway deaths during the same time period in 2017. Of the 582 motor vehicle occupants who have died statewide in 2018, 304 were not wearing seat belts. Through Oct. 28, 2018, 126 pedestrians have died compared to 128 in 2017; 88 motorcyclists have died compared to 104 in 2017; and 17 bicyclists have died compared to 16 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 Oct. 28, 2018.