You may have noticed an increased police presence on the roads recently. That’s because, from July 16 through 23, 2018, South Carolina and four other states participated in Operation Southern Shield for the second year in a row.

Operation Southern Shield, intended as a proactive method for saving lives, focuses on Speeding but also cracks down on distracted driving, failing to wear a seat belt, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you were traveling Interstate 95, the extra police presence may have been especially obvious. One of the geographical areas that the police focused on during the operation was I-95 all the way to Miami. I-95 is one of the busiest roads in the southeastern U.S.

South Carolina Highway Patrol Sgt. Bob Beres pointed out that “[w]e’re in what’s called the 100 deadly days of summer in South Carolina and that stretches from Memorial Day to Labor Day. People are on the interstates, families are on interstates, kids are out of school (and) they want to get to their destination, we want them to get to their destination but do it within the speed limit.”

SC Traffic Fatalities

The SC Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) would rather that you receive a ticket than suffer from a deadly crash. During 2017 in South Carolina, speed was implicated in 45,156 crashes. Almost 38 percent of fatal crashes on SC roads were at least partially due to speeding in 2017.

As of this writing, it’s too soon to know how many traffic deaths occurred during 2018’s Operation Southern Shield. However, during the 2017 enforcement operation, fatality numbers showed a considerable reduction when compared with a comparable week from the previous year: 16 people died in 2017 as opposed to 21 during 2016. When it came to speed-related deaths, nine persons died in 2016, but 2017’s fatality numbers dropped to six.

As of mid-July, 2018, 507 persons have died on South Carolina’s roads this year.

Speeding Facts

Across our nation, speeding remains a problem. Generally, about one-third of all fatal crashes involve speeding. Other surprising facts you might not be aware of are:

• The number one citizen complaint made to police, city councils, and homeowners associations involves residential area speeding.There is greater social disapproval of speeding in residential areas than speeding on freeways.
• Most speeders live near where they were caught speeding.
• While 91 percent of drivers believe that speeding laws should be obeyed, 64 percent admit they are “comfortable” speeding.
• The number of drivers that police stop for speeding, as opposed to other offenses, has not changed much since 1997.
• Teens are more likely to speed than older drivers, and to allow less distance between them and the car in front of them.

If you were one of the people pulled over recently, you likely were ticketed. That’s because, as the director of the Georgia Office of Highway Safety, Harris Blackwood, put it, “Don’t ask for a warning because this is it. Many of the citations issued last year were for speeds that were well over the legal posted limit.”

Georgia was one of the states that participated in Operation Southern Shield along with South Carolina. The other three states were Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida.

When life goes wrong, we fight for what’s right.

Have you been in an accident where the other party was at fault, whether because of speeding, DUI, distraction, or another reason? The Louthian Law Firm can help. We have represented injured South Carolinians in motor vehicle collisions and other personal injury suits since 1959. With our firm on the case, you can rest assured that you’ll get the personalized attention you deserve.

South Carolina law entitles you to hold the negligent party legally responsible for your medical expenses and vehicle repair bills, as well as any lost wages and other financial losses. You may also seek compensation for pain and suffering, or the loss of comfort, care and companionship of a loved one. Don’t delay—the deadline for filing a claim can quickly pass, so call the Louthian Law Firm for assistance today. If you prefer, you can fill out our online contact form.

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