COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety announces a preliminary number of 11 persons killed on South Carolina roadways during the Fourth of July holiday reporting period, which started Friday, July 1, at 6 p.m. and concluded Monday, July 4, at midnight. The 11 traffic deaths were during a 78-hour reporting period, compared to seven traffic deaths reported during a 78-hour period in 2015. 

As of July 4, 2016, 460 people have died on South Carolina highways, compared to 473 highway deaths during the same time period in 2015.

Of the 306 motor vehicle occupants who have died in 2016, 148 were not wearing safety belts. 

Through midnight July 4, 60 pedestrians died compared to 58 in 2015; 64 motorcyclists died compared to 71 in 2015; and 11 bicyclists died compared to nine in 2015 on state roads and highways. 

Editor’s note: These numbers are preliminary and are based on fatal collisions compiled by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety as of midnight July 4, 2016.

For more detailed information on archived traffic fatality reports, please contact Laura Caskey, (803) 896-9402.

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety includes the Highway Patrol, State Transport Police, Bureau of Protective Services, Office of Highway Safety and Justice Programs, Immigration Enforcement Unit and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame. Our mission is to ensure public safety by protecting and serving the people of South Carolina and its visitors.