Troopers beef up patrol efforts for holiday traffic

By: Jamie Rogers/Morning News | SCNow
Published: November 20, 2007

Troopers from the S.C. Highway Patrol will combine forces with local law enforcement agencies as well as troopers from other states to keep roadways safe during the Thanksgiving holiday.

Members of the S.C. Highway Patrol command staff say traffic fatalities have decreased since the summer vacation months.

But S.C. Highway Patrol Col. Russell F. Roark III said motoristsmust do their part to keep the number of crashes and fatalities down.

“We want to see this downward trend in fatalities continue going into the final few months of the year,” Roark said. “But enforcement alone is not the answer. We need the public to heed our safety messages and realize just how dangerous holiday travel can be.”

Troopers urge motorists to get their vehicles inspected before they begin traveling. That’s because they say a large number of fatalities stem from stranded motorists walking in the roadway looking for help after their vehicle breaks down.

Serious accidents also are caused when a stalled vehicle isn’t far enough away from the flow of traffic, troopers said. If a vehicle does stall, motorists should moved it as far out of traffic as possible, turn on the vehicle’s hazard lights and dial *HP on their mobile phones for help. If possible, passengers should stay inside the vehicle until help arrives.

Motorists should also keep a first-aid kit, a flashlight, blankets, snacks, water, flares and jumper cables in their vehicles for emergencies.

In addition, travelers should plan their trip in advance and have an alternative route in mind if there are detours.

For more information about possible road closures or delays, visit S.C. Department of Transportation Web site at www.scdot.org.

Troopers beef up patrol efforts for holiday traffic

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