(COLUMBIA)  – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety began special enforcement in the Midlands today focusing on aggressive driving behaviors that are causing deadly collisions on state roadways.

This third round of enforcement focuses on Richland and Lexington counties and runs from March 16 -18. Last year, 111 people died on Richland and Lexington county roads.

The STOP campaign began in the Upstate with a three-day wave of enforcement from January 31-February 2. The enforcement focused on aggressive driving behaviors such as speed, DUI, seatbelt, changing lanes unlawfully and following too closely.

Troopers from the Highway Patrol Target Zero Team, which is a statewide team focused specifically on fatality reduction, are working with local troopers and other law enforcement to conduct periods of enforcement in areas around the state that began in January and runs through the end of the year. The enforcement is coupled with a strong emphasis on safety education and outreach through all media including social media.

Motorists from all over the state can expect to see similar enforcement in their areas in the months to come. The next wave of enforcement will be in the Troop Five/Grand Strand in April.

The roadways chosen are areas where statistics show a high incidence of fatalities, collisions and reported aggressive driving behaviors. In the Midlands, some of those roadways include: US 301 in Orangeburg County, I-20, I-77, I-26, SC 48 (Bluff Road) and US 1 in Richland and Lexington Counties.

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