SC

SC Traffic Fatalities: Downward Trend Continues

After what appears to have been a substantial decline in 2017, traffic fatalities are dipping even further during the first six weeks of 2018. According to preliminary data published by the S.C. Department of Public Safety (SCDPS), there have been 78 fatal crashes on Palmetto State roadways since January 1 –…

After what appears to have been a substantial decline in 2017, traffic fatalities are dipping even further during the first six weeks of 2018.

According to preliminary data published by the S.C. Department of Public Safety (SCDPS), there have been 78 fatal crashes on Palmetto State roadways since January 1 – leading to 85 individual fatalities.  By contrast, there were 113 crashes and 121 individual fatalities at this same point in time a year ago.

All told, fatal crashes are down 30.9 percent for the year, while fatalities are down 29.7 percent.

And yes, in both of these cases red numbers are good.

[timed-content-server show=”2018-Jan-17 00:00:00″ hide=”2018-May-18 00:00:00″]

SPONSORED CONTENT (ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW)

[/timed-content-server]

Annual traffic fatality data is compiled on the basis of fatal collisions reported to the S.C. Office of Highway Safety   To its credit, SCDPS makes “no warranty” as to the accuracy of this data.

That’s wise …

As we exclusively reported last spring, these numbers often miss the mark.  For example in 2016, preliminary SCDPS data showed a 0.4 percent decrease in traffic fatalities when the final data revealed a 3.9 percent increase.  That year also saw traffic fatalities top the 1,000 mark for the first time since 2007.

Rising traffic fatalities have prompted criticism of SCDPS – and placed pressure on governor Henry McMaster to fire the agency’s embattled director Leroy Smith, who has been harshly criticized for his failure to recruit and retain sufficient numbers of S.C. Highway Patrol (SCHP) troopers.

Smith’s response?  Rushing untrained troopers onto the job …

This news site will continue to track this data closely … and report any discrepancies between preliminary numbers and final ones.

***

WANNA SOUND OFF?

Got something you’d like to say in response to one of our stories? Please feel free to submit your own guest column or letter to the editor via-email HERE. Got a tip for us? CLICK HERE. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? CLICK HERE. Want to support what we’re doing? SUBSCRIBE HERE.
Banner: iStock


Related posts

SC

South Carolina Dance Star Missing, Abandoned Vehicle Found Near Congaree Park

Callie Lyons
SC

Keeping The Peace At Solid Rock

Callie Lyons
SC

Flooding Temporarily Shuts Down Hunting Season In South Carolina

Erin Parrott

Leave a Comment