SC Roads: Still Dieways
Despite a boatload of government-funded TV commercials, enforcement campaigns and an entire state agency devoted to fighting alcoholism and drug abuse, South Carolina’s roadways remain among the most dangerous in the nation when it comes to drunk driving fatalities.
In fact, South Carolina ranks second only to North Dakota when it comes to the percentage of fatal car crashes (44%) involving alcohol.
Believe it or not, that awful stat looks even worse when you consider that over the last 25 years, surrounding states have been able to drop their alcohol-related fatal car crashes by more than 20%. South Carolina, meanwhile, has only seen a 3% decline since 1982.
The reason?
From the Charleston Post and Courier:
Residents in South Carolina consume more malt alcohol per person than the residents in 37 other states, (S.C. Public Safety Director Mark) Keel said.
North Carolina is 35th in malt beverage consumption per person. Georgia is 43rd in consumption.
Hmmmm …
No word yet on whether U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham has weighed in on this issue yet …
Also to blame? Our state’s mouth-breathin’, knuckle-draggin’ inbred state lawmakers, who have continued to fund worthless TV commercials and other government programs while South Carolina’s State Trooper force has been slashed by nearly 18%.
UPDATE: Props to Yvonne Wenger at the (usually) Newsless Courier for getting this scoop …
Comments
By Gillon on December 28th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
“Malt beverage consumption”? Would that be single malt or double malt? Who would have known that SC has a bunch of Scotch drinkers–this state is a lot more sophisticated than one would think.
By fitsnews on December 28th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Gillon- Two words: Annette Young.
-FITS
By colleen on December 28th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
Did the Governor have few malt alcohols before giving those speeches back in June after that trip?
By dusty on December 28th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
I think SC needs to have a better drunk driver ed program. Like teaching an impaired driver to drive with one eye closed to reduce double vision.
By Liberty For Me on December 28th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
“Gillion”…That was funny!No wonder I can never find a bottle of Laphroaig.But whats the big deal anyway?Somebody has to be 49..Or you can look at it as a glass half full argument.We are ranked only behind North Dakota in funeral services.That is a lot of shovel ready jobs.
By Michael S. Smith II on December 28th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
The real reason those surrounding states have dropped their stats:
S.C. Billy Bluelights’ counterparts in those states are not being asked to actually try so hard to keep realistic records of such crimes.
“The reason for this?” you ask. Incentives for demonstrating your state’s anti-drunk-driving programs are effective. DUH!
Will, give me an efffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffing break. It’s kinda like this scenario: N. Charleston has one of the nation’s highest crime rates, year after year. But somehow Charleston hardly shows up on the radar. “How’s that?” you ask. Because the Riley machine discourages cops from reporting crimes they observe, while encouraging them to present lesser-than-deserved charges when they end up in a position where they have no choice but to issue tickets or fill out paper work.
Give me a break! Who’s paying your rent these days, MAD?
MICHAEL S. SMITH II
By Michael S. Smith II on December 28th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Ahem, MADD?
By UpState Native on December 29th, 2009 at 11:45 am
Could SC have the same problem rating at the bottom maybe because we have Laws that spell out DUI just like we have laws that spell out CDV. Maybe the Police in SC are just better than other states as well. Could it be that we report it to SLED like the law requires and that SLED does it’s job and releases the information.
Example is like the Chris Brown and Charlie Sheen. In SC both of these would have been CDVHAN (CDV High and Aggravated Nature or maybe even AWITK) but what does Calif. charge them with Brown was Assault and Sheen Assault 2nd degree, neither were CDV’s. Same with DUI’s where some states charge the person with public intoxication because they are out of the car and not driving at the time the cop gets there and driving to fast for conditions to explain why the wrecked. Less paperwork for the cop, jail and keeps their numbers down.
Yes we need better DUI laws but we also need Judges that will lock away these guys to teach them a lesson.
By Rick on December 29th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Freedom means taking on risk, keep yaping and sooner than later MADD will convince ya’ll that having breathalyzers attached to everyones ignition is the only way to make life safe for you. Remember seat belts, it actually started with putting children in car seats, why this is so good lets help grown adults manage their lives etc. etc. etc and on it goes as the chickenshits continue to want safety rather than freedom. You make a law, then enforce it. Simple
By T4 on January 1st, 2010 at 11:18 pm
These statistics are misleading, and require clarification before lawmakers consider omitting due process in D.U.I. cases completely. The statistic above asserts that alcohol was “involved” (misleading word usage) in 44% of all fatal automobile accidents; however, it fails to distinguish what percentage of the alcohol-related fatalities were actually CAUSED by alcohol. A fatality is designated as alcohol related if ANY of the parties involved render a B.A.C. exceeding the legal limit, which includes any and all persons involved – drivers of any and all vehicles regardless of fault, notwithstanding non-occupants (pedestrians and pedal cyclists). In other words, if a sober driver of a Chevy truck negligently strikes and kills a pedal cyclists with a .09% B.A.C., the incident is reported as “alcohol related” even though the cause (driver of Chevy truck) was absent of alcohol. The only fact that can be taken from this statistic is that people using SC roads like to get high on the bottle, and yes, they also ride bicycles because they had to sell their car to pay fines and attorneys fees from their first D.U.I conviction they received ten years ago, notwithstanding non-owner SR22.
Presumably, according to these statistics, lawmakers and whistleblowers will be working diligently to bypass rights of the individual based on misinterpreted percentages (not to mention special interests). These numbers offer no way of gauging the effects and progress (if any) of SC’s current D.U.I. law. Question: Is there any state or national report that separates “alcohol related” and “alcohol caused” incidents?…And if so, why haven’t you written about that one, Fits?