Drive safe and sober during summer’s 100 Deadly Days
Solar-powered radar device cautions fast drivers on Darlington’s Orange Street. Photo by Samantha Lyles
By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpress.net
Summer is traditionally the most dangerous time of year on South Carolina’s roads, and many state and local law enforcement agencies are increasing patrols, checkpoints and traffic safety programs to help motorists get to their vacations – and get home again – in one piece.
“They call the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day the 100 Deadly Days of Summer because traffic fatalities usually increase,” says Darlington Police Department Assistant Chief Jimmy Davis.
As of July 22, the South Carolina Department of Public Safety says there have been 481 deadly crashes so far this year, with a total of 518 persons killed.
Of these vehicle passengers, 172 were not wearing safety belts.
“Motorists need to be aware that this is the deadliest time for driving. Please look out for the other driver, pay attention to what you’re doing, don’t text, and don’t drink and drive,” says Davis.
Because of the relationship between fatalities and impaired drivers, police will set up more frequent checkpoints to try and get drunk or drugged drivers off the road. These checkpoints are often partnerships between state and local agencies, and Davis notes that DPD often sends officers to man these checkpoints in an effort to stop drunk drivers before they hurt themselves or others.
“The checkpoints only slow motorists down momentarily…our interaction should only take 30 to 45 seconds, provided they have their paperwork in order,” says Davis. “It helps to show people who might be bending the law that we’re out there looking for them, and we’re trying to bring that (DUI) number down.”
Davis advises anyone who’s had a few drinks and believes they are not impaired to err on the side of caution. He notes that alcohol affects your judgment, and you may be more intoxicated than you feel, with slower reflexes and less ability to multi-task. It’s far safer and far cheaper to call a taxi or use a ride sharing service like Uber or Lyft.
“It makes more sense to spend $40 to get home and come back for your car the next day than to risk getting in a wreck or getting pulled for a DUI, which can cost you $10,000 in fines. Plus, you’re missing work and risking jail time,” says Davis.
For motorists who suspect they’re sharing the road with an impaired driver, Davis suggests calling *HP and reporting the vehicle to the SC Highway Patrol. He adds that the *HP system gets an accurate read on your location and can quickly pass word to nearby officers about the dangerous driver.
High speed remains a factor in many serious car crashes, and Davis says that DPD has recently deployed a new gadget to help drivers avoid tickets and collisions. Positioned at the corner of Orange Street and Wells Street, this solar-powered monitoring device from Traffic Logix displays the speed of oncoming cars and relays messages to drivers – such as “Slow Down” or “Watch Your Speed” – if they are exceeding the posted speed limit.
“It’s going to count vehicles and measure speed. It does not take pictures. This is just a friendly reminder, because most people who are speeding are not even aware that they are speeding. Often, the speed zone on the road they’re traveling will change without them noticing,” says Davis, adding that the cushioned suspension of modern vehicles can mislead motorists into thinking they’re cruising when actually they’re bombing along at high speed.
“Sometimes, the vehicle they are driving is so comfortable, they can’t even tell they’re going too fast,” says Davis. “In my old pickup truck, 40 miles an hour feels pretty rough, but if I get in a nice new car, 40 is going to feel really smooth and you don’t even realize you’re speeding.”
With GPS positioning and wi-fi connectivity, the device relays information which the DPD can use to gauge how many cars use a particular road each day, and how their rates of speed vary. For instance, 638 cars passed by the monitor in one 24-hour period, with the vast majority keeping within the speed limit. Only 35 vehicles were in the 36 – 40 MPH range, and just 8 were traveling between 41 – 45 MPH.
Davis says the device is powered by solar cells during the day, and operates from a battery backup after sundown.
The device can be mounted at any intersection to gauge traffic counts and keep motorists mindful and alert when traveling around town.
