South Carolina used to rank 2nd in the nation for the most alcohol related traffic fatalities in the nation. However, thanks to the diligence of the Highway Patrol and other local law enforcement agencies, the state’s numbers are starting to drop. Last year, the number of these traffic fatalities reduced by 6 percent, making the state 3rd in the nation instead of 2nd. According to this news report, the NHTSA defines an alcohol-related fatality, any traffic death in which the driver had a blood alcohol level of more than the legal limit of .08.
In addition, the total numbers of alcohol related car accident fatalities dropped from 921 in 2008 to 894 in 2009. So far, this year’s numbers are even lower and by the end of 2010, there should be another significant drop. As a Columbia personal injury lawyer , I hope this will lower South Carolina in the rankings even further.
According to the Director of the SC Department of Public Safety, “I’m pleased with the direction we’re heading, but too many people are still getting killed on our roadways. My hope is that the steps we’re taking this year with enforcement and public education will continue to reduce the number of traffic fatalities in this state.” When numbers were evaluated on September 14th, 2010, there had been 550 traffic deaths so far, compared to 639 on that same date last year.
This news report states that there has been an overall decline in highway fatalities all across the country, reflecting the same numbers that were seen back in the 1950s.