As the holiday season approaches, the highways usually become more dangerous with increased intoxication, earlier sunsets and the potential for ice and snow. However, the state highway patrol reports that the high travel 100 days of summer have been safer this year. And the overall traffic fatalities in South Carolina are down to 613 from 647 in mid October of last year. The highway patrol cautions drivers, not to become complacent with these facts. According to the patrol, driver error plays a prominent role in serious and fatal accidents. The most likely causes of highway deaths in SC are drunk driving, speeding and driving excessively fast for conditions. South Carolina Department of Public Safety emphasizes the importance of using seat belts, as 235 of the 613 traffic fatalities so far this year involved motorists and passengers who were not wearing restraints.