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Article published Jan 11, 2005
Fatalities up across S.C.

ALEXANDER MORRISON
Staff Writer

Local and state roads were more deadly last year than the year before.At least 1,025 people died in traffic accidents in South Carolina during 2004, according to preliminary data from the state Highway Patrol.Spartanburg, Cherokee, Union and Greenville counties saw 136 traffic fatalities last year, up from 112 a year earlier."Hopefully it's not part of a trend," said Sid Gaulden, spokesman for the state Department of Public Safety.Year 2004 data is still preliminary and subject to adjustment if motorists who are currently badly injured die. The numbers are unlikely to be adjusted downward.While fatalities were up from 2003, Gaulden said his department drew comfort from the fact that fatalities across the state and in most counties were below average over the last four years.On average, 1,034 motorists died across the state from 2000 to 2003, while an average 143 died in Spartanburg, Cherokee, Union and Greenville counties.The year 2003 was an especially light year for traffic death.For the first time since 1997, fewer than 1,000 people died in auto accidents.Therefore, it was not a complete surprise that fatalities were up in 2004.Spartanburg County, however, bucked the statewide trend as total fatalities continued a three-year downward slide.Traffic deaths fell from 77 people in 2001 to 49 in 2004.Gaulden attributed this to cooperation between city and county law enforcement and a new emphasis to punish speeders and drunken drivers before they get in wrecks."That close network of support isn't as tight in other counties," Gaulden said.In Cherokee County, traffic fatalities were up to 19 in 2004 from 10 the previous year.Greenville County saw auto deaths climb from 45 in 2003 to 63 in 2004. Union County traffic deaths fell to 5 in 2004, from 4 in 2003.Alexander Morrison can be reached at 562-7215 or alex.morrison@shj.com.Jason Spencer contributed to this report.