Pedestrian Deaths Rising in South Carolina

The South Carolina Highway Patrol has just released new statistics about fatalities on our roadways here in South Carolina. The numbers are rising compared to last year and troopers say many of these deaths can be prevented.

In South Carolina, 67 pedestrians have been killed since the beginning of 2014 and authorities at the South Carolina Department of Public Safety say that number has grown since last year.

Hannah Wimberly and her colleagues with the South Carolina Highway Patrol do their best to educate people of the low country on safe ways to get around. When speaking with Wimberly about the pedpedestriantalities, she said, “We don't consider these accidents. We consider these collisions, because they are all preventable."

Because many people walk to get where they're going, pedestrian fatalities often occur along busy roads.

On Friday, a 48-year-old Summerville man was crossing Ladson Road, when he was accidentally struck and killed by an SUV.

Lately, officers say it's been happening all too often. Wimberly explained, "In the tri- county area, we have seen a rise in the number of fatalities not only in vehicles, but also pedestrians."

Officials say the majority of pedestrian fatalities are occurring at night between the hours of 11pm and 5am.

Troopers urge people walking to wear reflective gear and to stay on the grass or sidewalk. "If a state trooper or other law-enforcement sees you walking in the roadway, you can get a citation - but we normally will warm you and kind of educate you on what you're supposed to be doing so maybe we can save your life,” said Wimberly.