The South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) and local enforcement agencies have announced that it will be starting its "Sober or Slammer" campaign to crackdown on impaired driving between now and Labor Day (Sept. 6). As DUI-related accidents remain the leading cause of deaths on South Carolina roadways, authorities hope that this campaign will help promote safe driving and reduce the amount of DUI-related fatalities in the state.

As a note, traffic fatalities are falling behind last year's totals in the state and seat belt usage is at all-time highs. Despite these steps in the right direction, authorities wish to continue to improve these numbers.

Last Memorial Day, South Carolina law enforcement officers began a state wide campaign called the "100 Deadly Days of Summer" enforcement blitz on drunk driving and seat belt use. This new campaign marks the last days of the campaign before the "Sober or Slammer" campaign begins. "As of midnight August 15, there were 136 fatalities in the first 77 days of the "100 Deadly Days of Summer" campaign, which is about 100 fatalities fewer (39 percent less) than last year at the same time.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol has made 9,535 arrests so far this year for DUI. This is a 17 percent increase over last year and a 41 percent increase from 2008.

To spread the message, the SCDPS will be airing commercial and displaying billboards around the state to support the awareness of the campaign. Additionally, South Carolina Highway Patrol encourages motorists to report suspected drunk drivers by calling "Call *HP (*47)" is you encounter a dangerous motorist.

This campaign is part of the national "Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest" crackdown by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Source: WHNS "Intense Statewide DUI crackdown Planned" 08/16/2010