The South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) has launched its ‘Sober or Slammer’ campaign ahead of Christmas and New Year’s Eve, two holidays that traditionally see a surge in drunk driving incidents.
South Carolina state troopers and officers are cracking down on impaired drivers during the campaign, which will run until New Year’s Day. Public checkpoints have been placed throughout the state, and ‘Drink. Drive. Die.’ messaging is running on TV and radio stations, as well as on social media platforms, YouTube, and billboards.
The campaign is running in coordination with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ campaign.
It comes as the National Safety Council estimates that 798 people across the US may be killed on roadways during the holidays – 371 people during the Christmas period and 427 others during the New Year holiday period.
A total of 1,049 people have already died on South Carolina roadways in 2021, with highway safety officials cautioning that those numbers will likely rise. The top three contributors of those crashes were driving under the influence, failure to yield, and driving too fast for conditions.
“While the holidays are a time of celebration for most, this season is also a painful time for the more than 1,000 families who have lost loved ones in motor vehicle collisions,” SCDPS Director Robert G. Woods, IV said in a press release. “The losses are incalculable for those affected and should motivate all drivers in the state to make safe and defensive driving priority one in keeping their families safe.”
The SCDPS has advised South Carolinians to choose the following options when celebrating this holiday season:
- Designate a sober driver
- Use public transportation when possible
- Call a local cab or taxi service
- Use a ride-sharing app such as Uber or Lyft
Driving under the influence is always a terrible decision, and one that can have extremely serious – even fatal – consequences. If you’ve been injured in an auto accident caused by an impaired driver, the first step is to get the medical help you need. After that, you should speak with an experienced auto accident attorney to determine what your claim is worth.
Lawyers are invaluable resources following an auto accident, as they can make sure you receive what you’re actually owed – not what the other side’s insurance company is pressuring you to accept. Experienced personal injury lawyers are highly skilled in drunk driving cases, and can assess more than just your current situation. They know that the effects of drunk driving accidents can be long-lasting, and they will take future medical bills and other expenses into account when negotiating on your behalf.
The personal injury attorneys at McWhirter, Bellinger & Associates can help you understand your rights and build the strongest case possible to help maximize any compensation you receive.
McWhirter, Bellinger & Associates has offices throughout the Midlands of South Carolina, in Aiken, Camden,Columbia, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, and Sumter. We offer free case evaluations and would be happy to discuss your case with you.
Call us today at 888-353-5513. It won’t cost you anything to see if we can help.®