Crime & Safety
Troopers Begin Enforcement for Final Big Traffic Weekend of Summer
Labor Day is a 78-hour holiday weekend beginning Friday evening at 6 p.m. and ending Monday at midnight. Last year, two people died during the long travel weekend
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is preparing for Labor Day weekend and the additional traffic that will result from Clemson and Carolina home games
As of August 28, 2013, there have been 195 fatalities in the first 97 days of the 100 Deadly Days of Summer. That compares to 204 fatalities in the same number of days in 2012. That reduction equates to a 4.4 percent decrease in highway fatalities from a similar time frame last year. As of August 28, 2013, 462 people have died on South Carolina highways compared to 545 deaths last year during the same time period.
Labor Day is a 78-hour holiday weekend beginning Friday evening at 6 p.m. and ending Monday at midnight. Last year, two people died during the long travel weekend. In addition to the enforcement, the public is asked to continue working in partnership with law enforcement by calling *HP if they suspect an impaired driver.
Find out what's happening in Easleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Highway Patrol is continuing its participation with local law enforcement in the Sober or Slammer! Labor Day enforcement blitz, which runs through the weekend. Highway Patrol will have additional troopers on the roadway, including administrative staff. The State Transport Police will join with the Highway Patrol to monitor commercial motor vehicle traffic, and the SC Department of Transportation will be using variable message boards on highways around the state to display a DUI enforcement message. Additionally, television commercials and billboards will continue urging motorists not to drink and drive.
Friday is traditionally the heaviest travel day of the Labor Day period. The University of South Carolina hosted its first home game tonight, and Clemson will play at home on Saturday adding to the traffic congestion. Motorists are asked to be aware of congestion in those areas as well as additional law enforcement presence on arteries around the stadiums.
Find out what's happening in Easleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Stats from previous Labor Day weekends:
2010—September 3 at 6 p.m. through midnight September 6
10 fatalities in 8 fatal crashes
· 2011—September 2 at 6 p.m. through midnight September 5
7 fatalities in 6 fatal crashes
· 2012—August 31 at 6:00 p.m. through midnight September 3
2 fatalities in 2 fatal crashes Georgia and South Carolina Highway Patrols have teamed up to produce PSAs to air before the big games. In the video spot, tough-talking Georgia and South Carolina state troopers brandish football helmets and discuss the on-field rivalry between their teams. But they aren't letting football get in the way of highway safety. Troopers from the Georgia State Patrol and the South Carolina Highway Patrol urge careful planning before the tailgate and post-game celebrations, urging motorists to ensure that if those plans involve alcoholic beverages, that they also involve a designated driver.· 2010—September 3 at 6 p.m. through midnight September 6
10 fatalities in 8 fatal crashes
· 2011—September 2 at 6 p.m. through midnight September 5
7 fatalities in 6 fatal crashes
· 2012—August 31 at 6:00 p.m. through midnight September 3
2 fatalities in 2 fatal crashes
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