Officers out in force for holiday weekend

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A holiday blitz made up of state Highway Patrol troopers and local law enforcement officers started at 6 p.m. Friday and will last through Monday, said Sid Gaulden, spokesman for the state Department of Public Safety.

Last year, eight people died during a similar 78-hour travel period on South Carolina highways, he said.

Gaulden said that of the three holidays that comprise the 100 Deadly Days of Summer, the Fourth of July can be particularly deadly.

"On the 4th there seems to be more drinking and driving than any other time," Gaulden said.

More people, especially teens and children, die between Memorial Day and Labor Day than any other time of the year, according to the AAA Carolinas. Authorities urged motorists to use care and common sense.

Driver inattention is still the No. 1 cause of wrecks, Gaulden said.

Gaulden said every available trooper and local police officers will be out targeting speeders and drunk drivers on busy highways and secondary roads. Troopers will also work with patrolmen from other Southeastern states.

It's part of a continuing effort to keep the number of deaths down. As of Thursday there were 493 fatalities statewide, 56 more than the 437 at this time last year, he said.

"It's at best a struggle to try and bring the numbers down," he said.