6 Killed on SC Roads During July 4th Holiday Weekend

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety announces a preliminary number of six people being killed on South Carolina roadways during the long Fourth of July holiday weekend, from Wednesday, July 3, at 6 p.m. until Sunday, July 7, at midnight.

The six traffic deaths were during a 102-hour reporting period, compared to five fatalities reported during a 30-hour period in 2012.

Three of those killed over the holiday weekend were motorcyclists, officials said.

One of the six fatalities, one occurred on an interstate, with the other five happening on US routes, SC roads and secondary roads, officials said.

SCDPS began increased enforcement efforts for the holiday weekend earlier this year, as the official holiday weekend travel period began at 6pm Wednesday afternoon.

As of July 7, 350 people have died on South Carolina highways, compared to 434 highway deaths in this same time period in 2012.

Of the 244 motor vehicle occupants who have died in 2013, 147 were not wearing seat belts. 

Through midnight July 7, 37 pedestrians, 54 motorcyclists and six bicyclists have died on state roads and highways. 

Pickens County traffic fatalities are down so far this year compared to previous years.

In Pickens County so far this year, 8 people have been killed in traffic fatalities. From January 1 to July 7 of last year, 10 people died in Pickens County traffic fatalities. During the same time frame of 2011, 11 people were killed in traffic accidents.