COLUMBIA) – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety expanded its STOP Aggressive Driving effort today to include Horry County. The campaign, which began in the Upstate in February, focuses on aggressive driving behaviors that are causing deadly collisions on state roadways.

The three-day wave of enforcement emphasis will run from April 27-29, focusing on aggressive driving behaviors such as speed, 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 teaming up with Troop Five troopers and local law enforcement to focus on areas of Horry County where fatalities and collisions are of concern. The enforcement is coupled with a strong emphasis on safety education and outreach through the media and social media. 

So far, there has been special STOP enforcement in the Upstate, Lowcountry and Midlands since February. Motorists can expect to see similar enforcement in their area in the months to come. 

The roadways chosen are areas where statistics show a high incidence of fatalities, collisions, and reported aggressive driving behaviors. In Horry County, the roadways of focus will include: US-501 and US-17. 

The enforcement effort is part of SCDPS’ Target Zero campaign to reduce fatalities and collisions on South Carolina’s roadways.  In 2016, a preliminary number of 1,017 people died in motor vehicle collisions on South Carolina roads. The leading causations of fatal collisions were speed, driving under the influence and failure to yield right of way.  The leading causations of total collisions (injury, property damage etc.) were speed, failure to yield the right of way, distracted/inattention, following too closely and improper lane usage/change. 

“Many drivers – whether they are local or traveling through our state – all seem to have one thing in common: they are in a hurry,” said SCHP Major Melvin Warren at the Horry County news conference. “They are too often making bad choices behind the wheel with deadly consequences. That is why our Target Zero Team, coupled with local troopers will conduct a three-day blitz starting tomorrow right here in the Grand Strand area. Their focus will be these distracted and aggressive driving behaviors that put us all in harm’s way.

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.