The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) urges motorists to drive safely this Labor Day Weekend, which marks the end of the traditional 100 Deadly Days of Summer on our highways.

Safety officials refer to the period from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day the “100 Deadly Days of Summer” because traffic fatalities and collisions rise as the highways become increasingly congested with vacationers and an influx of out-of-state travelers.

“We remind motorists to focus on safety during this holiday weekend,” said Secretary of Transportation Robert St. Onge. “For many South Carolinians, it is a time of relaxation, family gatherings, traveling to sporting events or perhaps an end of season vacation. Please do not let it become a time of a tragedy instead.”
St. Onge urges motorists to observe the speed limits, buckle up, pay attention and to not drive while impaired.
Highway fatalities are on the increase in 2011 compared with last year.

As of Aug. 28, 526 people have died on South Carolina highways, compared to 516 highway deaths in this same time period in 2010, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS).

Looking ahead after this weekend, the summer will be winding down but motorists will still encounter highway work zones across the state. SCDOT advises caution in work zones to protect the highway workers as well as motorists.