S.C. Dept. of Public Safety Asks Residents to Plan Ahead for Holiday Travel

COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety is encouraging motorists to plan early for heavy traffic and possible delays over Thanksgiving, which typically has the most traffic volume of any holiday throughout the year. The official travel period begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday and extends until Sunday at midnight. Last year, three people died on the highways during the 102-hour holiday weekend -- the fewest number of Thanksgiving fatalities since 1963.

“Thanksgiving is traditionally a family-oriented holiday where people are willing to travel long distances to share that time with family members,” said SCDPS Director Leroy Smith. “Historically, collisions related to long distance travel such as drowsy driving, inattention, speed and traffic congestion -- especially on busy corridors linking many states such as I-95 -- occur over the Thanksgiving holidays.”

The state Highway Patrol and State Transport Police, which regulates commercial motor vehicle traffic, encourages motorists to get a jump on planning and to consider alternative routes, when possible, to avoid congestion.

“The best advice for safe holiday travel is the simplest: buckle up and ensure your passengers are restrained properly especially children who cannot help themselves,” said Highway Patrol Interim Commander Lt. Col. Mike Oliver. Oliver also reminds motorists to move disabled vehicles out of the flow of traffic, even in the case of minor collisions with no injuries. He also stresses the Move Over law, which requires motorists to move over to the next lane away from emergency responders.

The Highway Patrol is preparing for heavy travel by calling out additional manpower resources. Troopers, including the command staff and administrative personnel who do not normally work the roadways, will be on hand to ensure traffic is flowing well and to enforce motor vehicle laws. Troopers and STP officers will team up with local law enforcement agencies for public safety checkpoints and other proactive enforcement. Motorists should ensure they are prepared with their license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance.

SCDPS officers will enforce all traffic violations but they will especially focus on safety belts/child restraint violations, speed, impaired driving (DUI and drugs), and aggressive driving.

The State Transport Police says motorists should be mindful that large trucks require more space to maneuver.

“Between 70 and 75 percent of all truck-related fatalities are caused by car drivers; 35 percent of those fatal accidents occur in a truck’s blind spot,” said Col. Nick Moore, State Transport Police commander. “Remember, it takes big trucks a longer distance to stop, more space to move over and more room to make right turns.”

Statewide fatalities are slightly higher going into the Thanksgiving holidays with 734 compared to 728 last year. Director Smith said pedestrian and motorcycle fatalities remain a cause for concern. Pedestrian deaths stand at 97 compared to 78 last year and motorcycle deaths are up -- 96 compared to 81 in 2010. Unseasonably warm weather can encourage continued motorcycle and pedestrian traffic into the winter months.

Thanksgiving travel is often complicated by shopping traffic. Troopers report an increase in aggressive driving behaviors during this time especially the Friday after Thanksgiving -- the year’s biggest shopping holiday. Throughout the holiday season, the Highway Patrol encourages motorists to keep a safe following distance (do not tailgate) since traffic slowdown and congestion are likely. Motorists should report suspected drunk drivers to local law enforcement or call *HP (*47).