Over 1,000 Citations Issued in South Carolina Crackdown on Speeding

cars speeding on a highway in South Carolina.

The 6th annual Operation Southern Slow Down is being called a success after the intense law enforcement campaign resulted in more than 1,000 citations over the course of five days in July.

The yearly campaign involves multiple southern states. In South Carolina, the results of the five-day crackdown (July 19 to July 23) were:

1,276 citations
680 speeding citations
188 collision investigations
141 restraint citations
9 DUI arrests

South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) said the campaign is necessary due to increased speed-related car accidents. Also, more incidents involving excessive speeds of 100 mph or greater have shot up.

Beaufort County fatal car accidents

Operation Southern Slow Down began in 2017. Over time, police estimate that speed-related traffic deaths decrease by 14 percent during the annual campaign.

This year's crackdown happened amid a series of fatal local car accidents, including:

A fatal bicycle accident at the intersection of Pritchard Street and Bridge Street in Bluffton in late July.
A fatal pedestrian hit-and-run on Porches Hill Road in Seabrook this June.
A deadly head-on collision on Trask Parkway in Burton in April.

Meanwhile, South Carolina's overall traffic fatalities reached a five-year high in 2021. More than 1,000 people died on South Carolina roads that year. Total deaths (1,080 fatalities) outnumbered the state's previous fatality record set in 2007 (1,077 deaths).

A map of 2021 fatal crashes shows that highspeed roadways like SC-46, US-278, and I-95 see the most crashes out of any other roadways in Beaufort County.

What causes speeding accidents?

Speeding accidents are typically caused when the driver loses control of the vehicle. Being unable to maintain command of a car is a lot harder at high speeds. Speeding drivers have less time to react and adjust to oncoming traffic, barriers, roadway debris, animals, poor light and weather conditions, and unexpected moves by other drivers. Alcohol is also a frequent contributing factor to speeding accidents.

Some of the most common types of speeding car accidents include:

Intersection crashes (T-bone or sideswipe)
Head-on collisions
Rear-end accidents

Common speed-related injuries

The faster a vehicle is moving at the time of impact, the more likely the crash will be fatal. Typically, car accidents at 40 mph or higher are the most deadly. When a car accident isn't fatal, some of the most common speed-related crash injuries include:

Whiplash and neck pain
Back injuries
Torn muscles, tendons, and ligaments
Broken bones in the arms, wrist, hand, and legs
Facial bruises and cuts
Burns
Internal bleeding or organ damage
Paralysis
Concussion or other Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

Contact a South Carolina car accident attorney today.

If you or a loved one was injured in a crash caused by a driver who was speeding, an attorney can investigate what happened, build a strong case, and fight for the maximum amount of compensation you're entitled to under the law.

At Twenge + Twombley, we are a small law firm that knows how to deliver big results. We are relentless in our pursuit of the financial compensation our clients deserve, and we look forward to seeing how we can help with your potential legal case.

Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced South Carolina car accident lawyer. We serve clients in Beaufort, Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, and other communities throughout South Carolina.