COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety announces a preliminary number of 12 persons killed on South Carolina roadways during the New Year’s Holiday reporting period, which started Friday, December 30, 2016, at 6 p.m. and concluded Monday, January 2, 2017, at midnight. Preliminary details on these crashes are below.

As of December 31, 2016,  975 people have died on South Carolina highways, compared to 979 highway deaths during the same time period in 2015. Seven people were killed during the 2015 New Year’s holiday travel period.

Of the 635 motor vehicle occupants who have died in 2016, 322 were not wearing safety belts. 

Through midnight December 31, 2016, 137 pedestrians died compared to 125 in 2015; 135 motorcyclists died compared to 140 in 2015; and 25 bicyclists died compared to 16 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 December 31, 2016.

For specific details on fatalities, including locations, please visit https://www.schponline.com/Media/Fatalities.asp.  The site is designated for media use and only reflects information on fatal collisions investigated by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety. Please do not publicize this site--the information is preliminary and is meant to be used as a guide only. For confirmation on fatality information, please contact the appropriate county coroner’s office.

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. www.scdps.gov