Tips for safe travel during Labor Day weekend

SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – Thousands are expected to hit the roads during the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend and South Carolina Highway Patrol is urging drivers to use caution.

Experts said to avoid heavy traffic, don’t be on the road between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Friday.

Lieutenant Joe Hovis with the South Carolina Highway Patrol said to be extra cautious of the four killers: texting and driving, speeding, not using a seatbelt, and drinking and driving.

Hovis explained that as the number of drivers goes up, so does the number of accidents. He said they will have an increased number of troopers out on the road.

Labor Day rounds out what Highway Patrol calls the 100 Deadly Days of Summer.

“Every year approximately 40% to 45% of all people who lose their lives on the road here in South Carolina is due to alcohol,” Hovis said.

Hovis said over the past 100 days, Highway Patrol has had more than 450 DUI arrests. He said they will be on the lookout for more as people celebrate this weekend.

“If you’re driving while you’re under the influence and you kill someone or injure someone it’s not an accident,” said Hovis. “It’s willful because you decided to drink and drive.”

He said it is on everyone to do their part to keep each other safe.

“Pack your patience when you come out,” said Hovis. “You just need to be cognizant of everyone that’s around you, because you never know who might be drinking or might be under the influence of alcohol.”

Hovis also said to be aware of what they call vulnerable road users during this high-volume traffic time. Those include motorcyclists, bikers, and even pedestrians.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.