Thanksgiving week DUI, distracted driving, targeted in York, Chester, Lancaster
Police in York, Chester and Lancaster counties will have extra enforcement on roads through the weekend of Thanksgiving, officials said.
Extra officers and assistance will be on highways through the holiday weekend paying special attention to speed, distracted driving, and commercial traffic, according to a statement from the S.C. Department of Public Safety.
Traffic volume is expected to be 13 percent higher than the Thanksgiving holiday in 2020 when traffic was down because of COVID-19, public safety officials said.
“We need everyone traveling to help us, too,” said Public Safety Director Robert G. Woods IV. “Ensure your vehicles are in good working order before getting on the road, stay alert, and because travel is expected to be up this year, motorists should expect stop-and-go traffic in congested areas.”
There were 1,334 crashes during the 2020 Thanksgiving holiday period, resulting in 14 deaths on South Carolina roadways, public safety statistics show.
The S.C. Highway Patrol, a division of the public safety department, said Thanksgiving is among the busiest road travel weekends of the year.
“We see traffic increase on interstates as well as highways and secondary roadways,” said highway patrol Col. Chris Williamson. “The best advice our troopers can give motorists is to buckle up, reduce your speed, and limit distractions – whether you are driving across town or traveling long distances on the interstate.”
DUI enforcement in York, Chester, Lancaster
Lancaster County Sheriff Barry Faile said avoiding drunk driving or any driving under the influence is vital during the holiday weekend when travel volumes are high. Deputies will be paying particular attention to cars seemingly operated by impaired drivers, Faile said in a statement.
“The best way to avoid being charged with DUI is don’t drink and drive,” Faile said. “Even one drink is too many to get behind the wheel. Stay home if you’re going to drink, or arrange a designated driver or a ride service if you go out.”
The York County Sheriff’s Office has issued social media public service announcements on Facebook and Twitter and on its Web site to remind holiday drivers to schedule stops every two hours or 100 miles for long trips to avoid drowsy driving. Drivers should stop for a stretch then resume longer trips, deputies said.
Chester County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Grant Suskin said patrol deputies will be working through the weekend on traffic safety and enforcement.
Gas prices and holiday travel
Gas prices are more than $1.30 per gallon higher than Thanksgiving 2020, AAA officials said. Gas prices have dropped a few cents per gallon in the past week, AAA said, but remain over $3 per gallon across South Carolina.
Weather
Although there is the possibility of showers Thanksgiving Day, most of the holiday weekend locally is expected to be dry, forecasters with the National Weather Service said. Temperatures will be in the 50s close to 60 during the day through Sunday with lows around freezing.
