The state is seeing historic progress in roadway safety with traffic fatalities at their lowest in more than a decade. The South Carolina Departments of Transportation (SCDOT) and Public Safety (SCDPS) made the announcement during a press conference Friday.
According to preliminary figures, SCDPS reports the state has undergone a 21% reduction in traffic fatalities in the past four years, from 1,198 in 2021 to 946 in 2025, and that reduction has continued so far in 2026.
SCDOT highlighted the success of its rural road safety initiatives, which have contributed to a 30% reduction in fatal and serious injury crashes on targeted roadways. Improvements include infrastructure upgrades such as rumble strips, roadway widening, and safety barriers, all designed to reduce the risk and severity of crashes, particularly on rural roads where fatalities are more likely to occur.
Continuing the safety drive, the two agencies also announced the launch of the Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP), a comprehensive, data-driven roadmap to further reduce fatalities and serious injuries in the state. The plan, developed in collaboration with local, state and federal agencies, will guide safety efforts over the next five years and are aligned with the Federal Highway Administration’s “4 Es” of safety:
- Engineering
- Education
- Enforcement
- Emergency Response
Additionally, SCDOT and SCDPS introduced the “Be That Driver” campaign, a new initiative aimed at encouraging safer driving behaviors among all South Carolinians.