More troopers will be on roads this holiday
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is reporting an increased number of troopers on the roadways over the Thanksgiving holiday.
Travel is expected to increase this year, despite increased gas prices, the AAA has reported.
The AAA reports that the roadway travel increase is a result of increased airline fees for peak travel and baggage, as well as a decreased number of flights.
The Highway Patrol expects increased congestion, particularly on the interstates, main arteries and areas such as I-95 and I-26 in Orangeburg County where traffic will merge. The official holiday travel period begins Wednesday at 6 p.m. and ends at midnight Monday.
Troopers are also working with area law enforcement networks as the number of motorists on the roadways climbs this week.
AAA Carolinas is predicting 569,000 South Carolinians will travel more than 50 miles from home. That would be an increase of 2.3 percent over 2008. Automobile travel is projected to increase by 3.3 percent over 2008 while air travel is set to decline by 6.6 percent, according to a AAA Carolinas study, state troopers are reporting.
Last year, there were 13 fatal collisions and 14 motorists killed in collisions over the Thanksgiving holiday period throughout the state. Fatalities are slightly down going into Thanksgiving this year but have risen since the summer, according to the highway patrol.
In the state, 805 people have died so far this year, compared to 816 last year.
Thirty-four traffic deaths have been reported in Aiken County so far this year.
"Motorists need to be aware, especially during heavily traveled times on our roadways, to keep a safe and adequate following distance and keep their attention fully on the roadway, scanning ahead for potential hazards," said Highway Patrol Col. Kenny Lancaster Jr. "One of the primary problems we encounter during this time are collisions caused by vehicles slowing due to the congestion and then other vehicles not being able to stop due to speed, following too closely and inattention."
The primary focus of increased patrols will be speed, impaired driving and occupant restraint. Additionally, the Highway Patrol will be working with the State Transport Police and other local law enforcement agencies to conduct public safety checkpoints and joint enforcement efforts to hold collisions and fatalities down.
The Highway Patrol's new DUI team will be actively working throughout the holiday season. Since July 2009, the 31-member team has made 945 driving under the influence arrests.
"DUI collisions are down this year by 14 percent compared to last year," the highway patrol reports.
Motorists are advised to avoid traveling in the lane closest to a traffic stop.
The Emergency Scenes law in South Carolina and the Move Over law in Georgia requires drivers move to the adjacent lane when they see flashing lights from emergency vehicles.
Contact Karen Daily at kdaily@aikenstandard.com.