The South Carolina Department of Transportation and the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) recently recommitted to working together to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries across the state.
[Above photo by SCDOT]
During a joint press conference, officials from both agencies emphasized that South Carolina is witnessing meaningful results from their coordinated safety initiatives.
For example, SCDPS noted that annual roadway fatalities in South Carolina are at their lowest level in more than a decade. According to preliminary figures, South Carolina has undergone a 21 percent 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.
[Editor’s note: The Colorado Department of Transportation recently reported that the state’s year-old hands-free law helped spur a 4.7 percent drop in distracted driving in 2025, preventing an estimated 600 crashes statewide.]
Concurrently, SCDOT said its rural road safety initiatives are bearing safety fruit as well – efforts that have contributed to a 30 percent reduction in fatal and serious injury crashes on targeted roadways.
These 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, the agency said.
“Every crash statistic represents a person, a family, a community,” Justin Powell, SCDOT secretary, explained in a statement.
Yet Powell – who also serves as the treasurer of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials – stressed that “while these numbers are encouraging,” even one life lost is too many.
“Together, through safer roads, stronger partnerships, and responsible choices, we can save even more lives,” he said. “We ask every South Carolinian to be part of the solution and be that driver.”
As part of the state’s ongoing commitment to safety, SCDOT and SCDPS have introduced the “Be That Driver” campaign – a new initiative that supports the state’s new 2025–2029 Strategic Highway Safety Plan by promoting personal responsibility behind the wheel and raising awareness about behaviors that contribute to serious crashes, including speeding, impaired driving, and distracted driving.
Other states are also launching similar traffic safety campaigns as well.
The West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program, for example, is partnering with law enforcement officers across the state during a statewide “Target Red” enforcement effort that runs through April 15 and is aimed at motorists who fail to stop at red traffic lights and stop signs.
Meanwhile, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation recently joined with City of West Bend officials, business leaders, and city residents to launch a state-local safety partnership. Spurred by a West Bend Area Chamber of Commerce leadership program, the event brought together state and local leaders to showcase how the city is embracing Wisconsin DOT’s anti-distracted driving campaign, Buckle Up Phone Down.
“This is a critical safety issue, not only in our state but across our country,” noted Kristina Boardman, Wisconsin DOT secretary, in a statement. “Stopping distracted driving crashes is central to our safety mission of reaching zero preventable traffic deaths in Wisconsin. Seeing an entire community like the city of West Bend embrace this mission is what it’s going to take to move the needle on safety. We’re grateful for this collaboration and are hopeful it will have a positive impact and lead to partnerships in other communities as well.”
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Office of Highway Safety and the Kentucky State Police are joining forces to support the 2026 Kentucky Safe Teen Driving Challenge. Teens aged 15 to 19 with a learner’s permit or driver’s license can register through April 16.
Using a smartphone application, participants’ driving behaviors will be evaluated on five core safety habits, see real-time insights to help adopt better driving behaviors, and compete to be named as Kentucky’s safest teen driver.
A total of $10,000 in cash prizes, sponsored by Intoximeters, AAA East Central, and AAA Blue Grass, will be awarded to the top five scorers. The teen with the highest overall score will win $3,000 and their school will be recognized.
And the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) and national non-profit Dedication To Community (D2C) recently teamed up on a new initiative designed to help young drivers navigate traffic stops safely and confidently.
The new D2C Traffic Stop Safety Program will equip participants with tools to communicate effectively with law enforcement and understand what to expect during a traffic stop.
“Connecting with communities through authentic instruction by law enforcement professionals and powerful storytelling will help save lives and strengthen trust across the state,” noted Mark Ezzell, GHSP’s director.
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