Protect Yourself on the Road

In response to past summers in which South Carolina's highways have become deadly thoroughfares, law enforcement in the state recently intensified its efforts to keep the roadways safe.

The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day typically has high rates of traffic accidents and fatalities. In 2009, the South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) reported that 281 people were killed in motor vehicle accidents between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Despite some 3,000 DUI arrests in 2009, most of the fatalities last summer were alcohol-related; speeding and running off the road were also leading causes of traffic fatalities. A majority of those killed were not wearing seat belts.

Distracted Driving

Along with drunk driving, distracted driving has become a safety issue on America's roads. Distracted driving typically includes activities such as cell phone use, eating or drinking, grooming, watching a video while driving, and changing the radio station or a cd.

The United States Department of Transportation figures show that almost 6,000 people were killed in 2008 because of distracted driving, and more than 500,000 more people were injured by distracted driving. Not only does distracted driving injure others, but drivers are four times more likely to be involved in crashes that injure themselves when using a hand-held device.

100 Deadly Days of Summer in South Carolina

To combat traffic fatalities, in May 2010 SCHP and the Department of Natural Resources combined their efforts to launch a highway safety campaign called "100 Deadly Days of Summer."

The campaign includes stepped-up enforcement of the DUI and seat belt laws, including SCHP seat belt checkpoints. In collaboration with the Chick-fil-A restaurant chain, any driver or passenger in a vehicle who is wearing a seat belt when stopped by a seat belt check point will receive a coupon to use at any Chick-fil-A restaurant in the state.

The warnings and increased enforcement of seat belt and DUI laws also extend to South Carolina's lakes. In 2009, there were 11 deaths on lakes in the state. Through mid 2010, that number has already increased to 15 deaths. South Carolina law does not prohibit open containers of alcohol in boats, but other DUI laws still apply. Officers on the lakes will be looking for boaters who drive recklessly, have been drinking and/or who are not wearing flotation devices, a state law requirement for each person on board.

Please call an experienced personal injury lawyer if you have been injured in an auto accident caused by a drunk or distracted driver or in a boating accident caused by a drunk or distracted boater.