The Times and Democrat - Highway Patrol,local agencies fight road fatalities

The rise in fatalities on local roads has the S.C. Department of Public Safety combining efforts with other law enforcement agencies and civilians to reduce the number of traffic deaths.

S.C. Highway Patrol Capt. C.N. Williamson, commander of Troop Seven, is particularly concerned about the rise in traffic fatalities in Orangeburg County.

“Last year this time, we had 44 deaths on Orangeburg County’s roadways,” Williamson said during a Tuesday press conference. “This year, we’re at 49 so far. Calhoun County had 13 this time last year and they have the same number this year.

“We’ve got to get a handle on these fatalities. We’ve got to make people aware of the dangers of our highways. Our number one priority is to save lives.”

Traffic fatalities have declined statewide this year in the wake of South Carolina’s new seat belt law, which allows officers to stop and ticket drivers for not wearing a seat belt. The number of traffic fatalities in South Carolina declined from 962 in 2005 to 888 this year for the period between Jan. 1 and Nov. 12. Bamberg County fatalities dropped from five in 2005 to three this year for the same period.

Orangeburg County ranks fourth in the state in the number of traffic fatalities, behind Greenville, Horry and Charleston counties.

Williamson announced the S.C. Department of Public Safety plans to develop “Street Teams” to educate the public about safety concerns and highway dangers. Details are still being developed.

In Orangeburg and Calhoun counties, the teams will consist of Troop Seven patrolmen, Orangeburg Department of Public Safety officers, Orangeburg County Sheriff’s deputies, Calhoun County Sheriff’s deputies, St. Matthews police officers and civilian volunteers.

“We are making it a priority to educate the public through our enforcement efforts,” Williamson said. “We’ve got to get it across to people that our roads are only as safe as drivers make them.”

Williamson said fatalities involving alcohol are up by eight in Orangeburg County and up by two in Calhoun County from last year’s numbers. He said last year there were six fatalities in Orangeburg County involving alcohol and three in Calhoun County.

He also highlighted speed and following too closely as high-ranking causes of fatalities in the region.

Along with Williamson, ODPS Chief Wendell Davis and Orangeburg County Sheriff Larry Williams were on hand to show their support for the new initiative.

“We’re here today to show that we are fully supporting the combined strength of law enforcement agencies to reduce fatalities in Orangeburg and Calhoun counties,” Williams said. “We are confident that our combined efforts will reduce the number of drunk drivers on our roads and the number of fatalities.

“The message is singularly clear, if you drive drunk in Orangeburg or Calhoun County, we will incarcerate you.”

Davis said there have been too many fatalities.

“Anytime there is any fatality, it’s too many,” he said. “Unfortunately, we’ve had our share in the county and the city. Our number one tool is public awareness. We’ve got to make people aware not only of drunk drivers and speeding, but also seat belt use. There are too many fatalities that might have been avoided if drivers and passengers were wearing seat belts.

“We’ve also got to make people aware of distractions and inattention while driving,” Davis said. “There are too many cases of accidents connected to cell phone use while driving. We can’t afford to be distracted when we’re behind the wheel. We intend to bring all of this to the public’s awareness by fully supporting the Highway Patrol.”

n T&D Staff Writer Thomas Brown can be reached at tbrown@timesanddemocrat.com and 803-533-5532. To comment on this and other stories, visit TheTandD.com.

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