SCDPS announces increase in holiday law enforcement

COLUMBIA - South Carolina Department of Public Safety held a joint news conference Tuesday, Dec. 19, with state and local partners to encourage drivers to drive safely during the holidays and announce the revival of the "Highways or Dieways" media campaign.

Director Robert G. Woods IV of the S.C. Department of Public Safety; Secretary of Transportation Christy A. Hall, P.E. of the S.C. Department of Transportation; Col. Christopher Williamson of S.C. Highway Patrol; Chief William "Skip" Holbrook of Columbia Police Department; and Director Phil Riley of the Office of Highway Safety and Justice Programs addressed the public ahead of the busy holiday travel season.

SCDPS announced an overall reduction in the number of highway fatalities this year, marking the second-consecutive year of decline. There have been 924 highway deaths so far this year compared to 1,093 in calendar year 2022 and 1,198 in calendar year 2021.

"We are pleased to see the fatality rate moving downward for the second-straight year," Woods said. "And while this is certainly a step in the right direction, our work is never done. We know there are hundreds of families who will be missing their loved ones during the holiday season this year. Thinking of these families is what keeps our mission of saving lives and reducing the number of deadly crashes at the forefront of our minds."

Holiday enforcement efforts

Furthermore, speakers announced upcoming plans and efforts their agencies are working on to help reduce highway deaths continue to decline in 2024.

"In 2023, SCDOT made a record investment in our safety program, advancing more than 40 safety improvement projects to construction with an investment of over $185 million," Hall said. "We appreciate the continued partnership with law enforcement to ensure that everyone traveling the roads in South Carolina has a safe and smooth driving experience."

SCDPS also announced plans for upcoming statewide enforcement efforts during the Christmas and New Year's holidays.

"The holidays are a time where we expect to see much more traffic and congestion on the roads," said Williamson, commander of S.C. Highway Patrol. "We are asking everyone to plan for slow-downs and drive accordingly. Residents and visitors can be sure to see more Highway Patrol troopers around this season as we try to help everyone get to their destination safely."

"The State Transport Police has seen an overall decrease in total crashes and fatalities involving a commercial motor vehicle this year," said Col. Dean Dill, commander of the State Transport Police. "Of those collisions, the commercial vehicle drivers were found at fault in less than 25% of cases in 2023. I think that statistic shows that all of us, as motorists, can do a better job in sharing the road with large trucks. STP will continue to educate the public on the importance of staying out of their 'no zones' and the dangers of leaving little room when changing lanes."

Drivers can expect to see troopers and officers from South Carolina Highway Patrol and State Transport Police conducting special enforcement during the official Christmas holiday travel period, which begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 22, and ends at midnight on Monday, Dec. 25.

S.C. Highway Patrol and State Transport Police will continue special enforcement efforts during the New Year's holiday period, which begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 29, and ends at midnight on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024.

In addition, Columbia Police will also be participating in local initiatives, "CPD will be conducting seat belt enforcement and saturation patrols in our high-crash areas of town throughout the holidays. Our goal is to keep our motorists and pedestrians safe through education and enforcement," Holbrook said.

'Highways or Dieways' campaign makes comeback

SCDPS also unveiled its new paid media campaign, a renewed version of the "Highways or Dieways. The Choice is Yours" campaign. The agency decided to focus highway safety education efforts under the "Highways or Dieways" banner as part of the 30-year anniversary of the Department of Public Safety. "Highways or Dieways" ads were part of a highly successful advertising campaign that emphasized the dangers of poor driving decisions and urged drivers to make better choices behind the wheel. The graphically illustrative PSAs initially ran in the late 1980s and early 1990s and were known by the ticking clock sound and memorable story lines.

The refreshed logo and slogan began appearing on billboards Dec. 1, while digital ads, social media and radio ads began on Dec. 18. The campaign will run through New Year's Day in coordination with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.