As the year winds down, the South Carolina Department of Public Safety has issued some preliminary statistics for 2012. According to the department’s website, 830 people died on south Carolina roads as a result of 774 crashes during 2012. The number of crashes is up from 766 in 2011. The number of highway deaths is also up from 2011 as well. The department of public safety’s fatalities include passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and other traffic related fatalities. The department also reports that nearly 58 percent of the fatalities with access to seat belts were not wearing seat belts. The department of public safety’s “sober or slammer” campaign is currently underway and will continue until Midnight January 1. So far, 30 deaths have resulted from 27 crashes since December 16th. Citizens are urged to dial *HP or *47 to report someone who is suspected to be driving while impaired.
