BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–The South Carolina Department of Public Safety announced that eight people died on South Carolina roadways during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, from Thursday, July 3, at 6 p.m. until Sunday, July 6, at midnight.
The eight traffic deaths were during a 78-hour reporting period, compared to ten traffic deaths reported during a 102-hour period in 2013. The last time July 4 fell on a Friday was in 2008 where there were nine traffic deaths.
As of July 6th, 366 people have died on South Carolina highways, compared to 373 highway deaths in this same time period in 2013.
Of the 258 motor vehicle occupants who have died in 2014, 126 were not wearing seat belts.
Through midnight July 6, 45 pedestrians, 39 motorcyclists and five bicyclists have died on state roads and highways.
So far this year, 11 people have died on Berkeley Co. roads.
From January 1st to July 6th, 14 people died on Berkeley Co. roads in 2013.
In 2012, during the same time period–16 people died on Berkeley Co. roads, and in 2011 that number stood at 22.
SCDPS includes the Highway Patrol, State Transport Police, Bureau of Protective Services, Immigration Enforcement Unit, the Office of Highway Safety and Justice Programs and the SC Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame.
The agency’s mission is to ensure public safety by protecting and serving South Carolina residents and visitors.
