Irmo Named an Outstanding Traffic Safe Community

The Town of Irmo was recently named an "Outstanding Traffic Safe Community" for 2012 by AAA Carolinas.

Irmo, a repeat winner in category for communities with a population between 10,000 to 30,000, was one of 15 communities recognized during the 9th annual Traffic Safe Communities awards luncheon on January 31.

Winners were chosen for communities under 10,000 in population, those with 10,000 to 30,000 residents, and towns and cities with more than 30,000 in population, according to a release.

The AAA Carolinas Foundation for Traffic Safety provides awards in an effort to recognize those cities that make a strong effort to make our state’s roads safer.

AAA Traffic Safe Communities are selected by looking at crash statistics, number of law enforcement officers per capita, and presence of a formal traffic safety program and/or existence of a special traffic division.

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte provided the statistical analysis and the AAA Carolinas Foundation chose winners in each category giving extra emphasis to those communities that are proactive in enhancing traffic safety efforts.

Three towns were named grand winners:

• Town of Goose Creek, Berkeley County (Population greater than 30,000). 
  Goose Creek has been recognized as a Traffic Safe Community for eight years; it was the Grand Winner in 2006, 2007 and 2008. The town analyzed collision data for a 14-day timeframe and developed an action plan to reduce collisions. It was also awarded a Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic vehicle specifically used for DUI enforcement.

• Town of Newberry, Newberry County (Population between 10,000 and 30,000).  Newberry has received a Traffic Safe Community award every year and won Grand Winner 2005 – 2008 and again in 2010. The town conducted traffic safety events to speak to local schools and civic groups about dangers of impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving and the proper use of seat belts and child safety seats. The town also organized “Prom Promise” at local high schools with a live mock DUI collision scene.

• Town of Elloree, Orangeburg County (Population less than 10,000).  This was Elloree’s third year as a Traffic Safe Community. The town won Grand Winner once before in 2009. The town gave out safety pamphlets and demonstrated correct driving behavior to educate motorists. They also implemented traffic safety checkpoints every six weeks.

Other winners:

Population greater than 30,000:

• Rock Hill* (York County)
• Summerville* (Dorchester County)
• Spartanburg* (Spartanburg County)
• Charleston* (Charleston County)

Population between 10,000 and 30,000:

• Mauldin* (Greenville County)
• Port Royal* (Beaufort County)
• Easley (Pickens County)
• Irmo* (Lexington and Richland Counties)

Population less than 10,000:

• Due West* (Abbeville County)
• Isle of Palms* (Charleston County)
• Iva (Anderson County)
• Lynchburg* (Lee County)

News release from AAA Carolinas