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South Carolinians make pledge to drive safely Reasons to “Take the Pledge” South Carolina’s Traffic Collision Statistics   In 1999, South Carolina’s mileage death rate (the number of traffic deaths per 100 million vehicle miles) increased for the first time in nearly a decade, climbing from 2.3 to 2.4 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles. Nationally, the mileage death  rate continued in a steady decline, dropping from 1.6 to 1.5. This places South Carolina’s death rate 60 percent above the national average.  In 1999, a crash was reported on the average of one every five (5) minutes somewhere in South Carolina. A total of 104,484 collisions were reported during 1999. In 1999, one out of every 69 South Carolinians was injured in a crash. A total of 55,322 people were injured in traffic crashes in the state. In 1999, one out of every 14 licensed drivers in the state was involved in a reportable crash. For male drivers ages 15 - 24, one out of every 7 drivers was involved in a reportable crash. In 1999, a total of 1,064 people were killed in traffic crashes on South Carolina’s highways. An average of three (3) people died in crashes every day during 1999 on South Carolina’s highways.  Traffic deaths remain a leading cause of accidental death in South Carolina; for children ages 0 - 19, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of injury-related death. Traffic deaths in 1998 (1,001) far outnumbered deaths from homicides (299); drowning (71); falls (196); suicide (445); accidental poisoning (95); fire/flame (67); and HIV infection (268). A total of 570 people have died in crashes on South Carolina’s highways from Jan. 1 through July 11 or 34 more than for this same time period last year. At the same point in time in 1999, 536 fatalities had been reported. If this trend continues, the year 2000 will see an even larger increase in fatalities than in 1999, and 1999 recorded the third highest total of crash fatalities since records have been kept. The cost of crashes totaled $2,176,900,000 in 1999, a 3.8 percent increase above 1998 totals. Based on the current population of South Carolina, this equates to $567.49 per person.  Some action or inaction by one or more of the drivers was cited as the probable cause in 93,572 of the 104,484 reported traffic collisions in 1999. This accounted for 89.6 percent of all probable collision causes. During the last five years, the leading probable cause of fatal crashes included driving under the influence of alcohol; excessive speed; failure to yield the right of way; and driver inattention. Take the pledge - and get a free pin! South Carolina’s roads are among the most dangerous in the country, with our traffic death rate 60% above the national average. Doing something about this problem will require a personal commitment from each of us. Make that commitment — fill out the coupon below pledging to drive safely and courteously. In return, we’ll send you a Highways or Dieways jewelry quality lapel pin to wear as a symbol of your commitment to safer roads in South Carolina. Take the pledge! Wear the pin! Send me the pin! I pledge to drive safely, courteously and defensively at all times, and to wear my Highways or Dieways lapel pin one or more days per week as a symbol of my personal commitment to safer roads in South Carolina. NAME ADDRESS CITY    STATE  ZIP  PHONE Sponsored by SCDOT • Print and mail coupon to: Send me the pin! • SCDOT Safety Office • PO Box 191 • Columbia, SC 29202