The South Carolina Department of Public Safety held a joint press conference with state and local partners to encourage drivers to drive safe during the holidays and announce the revival of the ‘Highways or Dieways’ media campaign.
Director Robert G. Woods, IV of the SC Department of Public Safety (SCDPS), Secretary of Transportation Christy A. Hall, P.E. of the SC Department of Transportation (SCDOT), Colonel Christopher Williamson of the SC Highway Patrol, Chief William “Skip” Holbrook of the 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 a total of 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, “ said Robert G. Woods, IV, Director of the South Carolina Department of Public Safety. “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 that their respective 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 forty safety improvement projects to construction with an investment of over $185 million,” said Secretary of Transportation Christy Hall. “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 Colonel Christopher Williamson, Commander of the SC 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 Colonel 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 the 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, December 22, and ends at midnight on Monday, December 25.
The SC 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, December 29, and ends at midnight on Monday, January 1, 2024.
In addition, Columbia Police will also be participating in local initiatives, “CPD will be conducting seatbelt 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,” says Columbia City Chief of Police, William “Skip” Holbrook.
‘Highways or Dieways’ campaign makes a come back
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 know by the ticking clock sound and memorable story lines.
