In response to a recent report issued by the South Carolina Highway Patrol, there has been an increase in traffic fatalities in South Carolina. South Carolina has seen a whopping 25% increase in deaths from traffic accidents.
According to the National Safety Council, traffic fatalities in the US from 2014 to 2016 increased by 18 percent. However, the state of South Carolina saw a 25 percent increase. In North Carolina, the number jumped to 26 percent during the same two-year period.
More traffic, more distractions, and poor road conditions cause the highest death toll across the state of South Carolina. Remember, it is easy to call a death in a car accident a “fatality”, which is a generic term. But imagine if it were your loved one, or a close friend, who was tragically killed in a preventable car accident. Deaths caused by car accidents are an unnecessary tragedy. We must all remember that this is not just a “fatality”; in fact, it is the loss of a human being, the loss of a father, mother, son or daughter, brother or sister, in a preventable situation. As a car accident attorney, I am a witness to how car accidents affect the lives of real people in our community. And it is a terrible, terrible tragedy that can be prevented.
What are some of the reasons for these high statistics? The Target Zero program looks at the state of South Carolina’s goal of eliminating traffic-related deaths to Zero. One of these factors is the increase in traffic due to tourism. Whether it’s our beautiful parks or our fabulous food, our state, especially upstate, has received a lot of positive media attention in recent years. This has resulted in an increase in visitors.
Another factor contributing to the increased traffic could be attributed to people moving here. In 2015, there was a 2.5 percent increase in the number of registered vehicles and a 2 percent increase in the number of driver’s licenses issued in South Carolina.
With more traffic on the roads, of course, there will be more traffic-related accidents. However, there are still other reasons for shipwrecks. Distracted driving, drowsy driving, and drunk driving remain factors in death-related car accidents.
So, be careful and be a defensive driver. And follow this simple tip: Slow down. Leave enough distance between your car and other cars. Hang up the cell phone or smartphone. Keep your eyes on the road. Keep both hands on the wheel. Never drink or drive or drive if you are tired. Take safe driving seriously.
