Pedestrians, Motorcyclists Fuel Spike in Road Deaths

Traffic fatalities are on the rise in South Carolina in 2011 after a three-year decline, and officials say an increase in pedestrian and motorcycle deaths is to blame.

Through Oct. 30, 691 people have died on S.C. roads this year, according to spokesman Sid Gaulden of the S.C. Department of Public Safety. Through the same date last year, 673 have died.

"We are in line to finish the year below 1,000 traffic fatalities for the fourth year in a row, although the number may be up marginally over last year," Gaulden said.

The most-striking statistic, however, isn't the total fatality statistic, but a marked increase in specific kinds of road deaths. Those deaths, officials say, negates improvement made in traditional traffic fatality rates.

"One of the big areas is we've seen a lot more motorcycle and pedestrian deaths," said Lance Corporal Bill Rhyne of the S.C. Highway Patrol. "They more than offset our fatalities just involving automobiles."

Greenville County is among the worst in the state in such cases, according to SCDPS. So far, the county has experienced seven motorcyclist deaths — behind only Lexington and Horry counties — as well as nine , which is second-highest in the state.

Pickens County has seen two motorcyclist deaths and three pedestrian deaths.

In 2010, 70 pedestrians and 76 motorcyclists had been killed on South Carolina roads through Oct. 30. So far this year, 92 pedestrians and 92 motorcyclists have been killed as a result of traffic collisions. 

"We are in the process of putting together a program aimed at better informing pedestrians of the dangers present on South Carolina roads," Gaulden said.

Over the last three years, the state's highway patrol has focused primarily on seatbelt violations, DUI and speeding, Gaulden said.

Rhyne said the department is in the process of making a "heavy push" toward informing the public of pedestrian laws for their safety.

Greenville County leads the state in road fatalities with 46. Horry County has had 45 reported cases so far this year. Meanwhile, Lexington County and Charleston County have seen 43 and 40, respectively. Richland County has had 31 deaths on the roads, thus far. All of those counties but Richland have seen increases in fatalities compared to last year's totals.

Gaulden anticipates a joint effort between local agencies with the State Transport Police, South Carolina Highway Patrol and State Bureau of Protective Services to limit traffic fatalities as the state enters the travel-heavy holiday season.

"SCHP, STP and BPS will be partnering with local law enforcement across South Carolina over the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s holidays in a joint effort to reduce the number of highway deaths," Gaulden said.