Every SC Trooper To Be Out Patrolling Over Thanksgiving

The SC Department of Public Safety will be on the road too.

“We are hoping that by putting a trooper every 20 miles when we know that the traffic will be amped up, it will remind people to slow down and pay attention”, said Wheetley.

The CHP maximum enforcement period begins tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m. and runs through Sunday.

Over the same holiday a year ago, state troopers investigated 179 crashes statewide including crashes that killed three people and injured 56 others.

“The fatality numbers are certainly a cause for concern as we expect heavy travel volumes over the coming days”, said SCDPS Director Leroy Smith.

In order to keep motorists safe troopers will be out at the welcome centers and rest areas around the state Wednesday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. giving out safety materials and talking about highway safety. Troopers will be on the lookout for those drivers who could be increasing the chances of a crash.

The auto club also says the state likely will see the lowest Thanksgiving gas prices since 2008.

The agency says they will not only be enforcing the law, but also assisting motorists when need be.

In 2014, over the Thanksgiving weekend, 45 people died in collisions on California roadways – a 36 percent increase from the same period in 2013.