CHESTER --
Troopers have targeted Chester County to look for drunken drivers and seat-belt law violators after investigations show alcohol was a factor and restraints weren't used in more than 70 percent of the county's deadly crashes last year.
Driving under the influence led to eight of the 11 deaths on Chester County roadways in 2010, said Lance Cpl. Billy Elder of the S.C. Highway Patrol.
On average about 40 percent of fatal crashes in a county are caused by intoxication, Elder said. Because Chester County was nearly double that figure, troopers have stepped up enforcement countywide this month.
"It's way more than the average," Elder said. "The surprising number of DUI-related incidents in Chester County is the reason for targeted enforcement."
The Highway Patrol is assigning additional troopers and motorcycle patrols to the county, while working with the Chester County Sheriff's Office and Chester police at checkpoints to look for intoxicated and unrestrained drivers throughout March. Driver education programs are being conducted in the county.
Eight of the 11 victims last year were not restrained, Elder said. Seat belts are any driver's or passenger's best chance to survive a crash, he said.
"One fatal is one too many," Elder said. "The goal is to reduce the number of deadly crashes, especially those caused by alcohol. There's definitely a DUI problem and a use of restraining device problem in Chester County."
Since last week, more than 100 people in Chester County have been cited for seat-belt violations and six for driving under the influence.
This year, troopers have investigated more than 125 crashes in Chester County. One deadly crash this year led to DUI charges against the driver.
On Feb. 18, Shawn Wilson, 32, died after being ejected from a vehicle that ran off the left side of S.C. 97, overturned and struck a tree. Wilson, of Great Falls, wasn't wearing a seat belt. Kenneth Scott Lane, 41, of Fort Lawn was charged with DUI.
Most of the deadly crashes involving alcohol in Chester County have happened at night, according to crash records. The only early evening DUI-related crash happened on Christmas Eve.
Intoxicated drivers aren't just a problem at night, Elder cautioned. If you see a driver who appears to be intoxicated, call 911 or *HP.
