Car wreck fatalities continue to be an ongoing issue across the country and in the Upstate.

The continued presence of car wreck fatalities on Upstate roads has reached Greenville, SC, Mayor Knox White. To curb the rate of car wreck fatalities, White is pushing for a plan to redesign roadways to protect drivers and pedestrians.

Unfortunately, this plan is years away from being a reality. In the meantime, here are some stats about car wreck fatalities and factors that lead to collisions with other drivers and passengers.

If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury due to a collision, please don’t hesitate to contact me to discuss your options. You can contact us by phone at 864-235-4999 or through our contact form, which you can find by clicking the button below.

Car Wreck Fatalities Facts

According to a nationwide study into distracted driving, South Carolina is the 3rd deadliest state in the United States. The following car wreck facts from SCDPS back up those findings.

• According to the city of Greenville, 88 people were killed and more than 10,000 were injured in traffic accidents from 2013 to 2022.
• There is a traffic collision in South Carolina every 3.7 minutes.
• Someone suffers a serious injury in a traffic collision in South Carolina every nine minutes.
• Someone is killed in a traffic collision in South Carolina every 8.7 hours.
• Someone dies in a DUI accident in South Carolina every 30.8 hours.
• A pedestrian dies in a collision involving a motor vehicle in South Carolina every 2.2 days.
• A bicyclist dies in a collision involving a motor vehicle in South Carolina every 13.5 days.
• A teen driver is involved in a collision resulting in injury or death in South Carolina every 1.4 hours.

Driving Wreck Factors

Weather, road conditions, and driving behavior are the common causes of car wrecks.

Weather

Always be mindful of standing water that can cause you to lose traction and control of your vehicle. Drivers should turn on their headlights when it is raining. When changing lanes, make sure to use your turn signals and that your flashers are off. When flasher or hazards are on in bad weather situations, other drivers can’t predict when the car in front of them is going to change lanes.

Work Zones

More than 770 car wrecks occur every year in work zone areas. When approaching the work zones, slow down to allow for anything such as sudden stops in traffic or workers having to enter the roadway.

Driving Behavior

Driving under the influence, distraction by devices and not wearing seatbelts are driving behavior that significantly increases the risk of car wreck fatalities.

If someone is driving aggressively, slow down to allow the driver to go around you and keep a safe distance. Never try to “compete.” Just let them go and stay clear.

Pedestrian Collisions: Precautions and underlying reasons

Drivers can avoid pedestrian accidents by taking precautions.

A driver of a motor vehicle must use due care to avoid accidents, keep a proper lookout, and drive at a reasonable speed.

Drivers are responsible for operating their vehicles at a proper speed for the conditions then and there existing. For example, if it’s raining or dark outside you need to drive slower than in optimum driving conditions.

Pedestrian collisions usually occur at night and early morning dawn hours. One reason is the lack of visibility.

Proper working headlights are essential for allowing a driver to see pedestrians.

Also, driver fatigue can be an issue in the early morning and late at night. Drivers are not as alert in the early morning hours or late at night so a driver’s reaction time can slow down due to exhaustion.

Car Wreck Fatalities Wrap Up

Whether you’re simply running errands or driving to work, a car wreck happen at any time. Now is the perfect time to practice safe driving. If a collision does happen, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 864-235-4999 or by filling out the contact form below.