The chances of getting arrested for drunk driving in Richland, Lexington and Horry counties have increased due to federal grants. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCPS) recently awarded more than $500,000 to the three counties to strengthen their DUI enforcement.

The grants will pay troopers' salaries and the costs of operating their vehicles. Richland County has the most DUI-related fatalities in South Carolina; Lexington County is seventh and Horry County is sixth. Overall, the state has one of the highest rates of death from DUI crashes in the United States. The grants are intended to help reduce drunk driving in general and fatalities in particular.

SCPS and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) partnered to award these grants. Many county and city law enforcement departments throughout the state received similar grants; drivers in Georgetown County, Berkeley County, Dorchester County, Charleston County, and the cities of Charleston, Hanahan, Mauldin, Mount Pleasant and Summerville are among those jurisdictions that should see increased DUI enforcement over the next year.

Drivers can expect to encounter more DUI checkpoints and other enforcement mechanisms in counties and cities receiving the grants. The grants will also pay for officer training and public outreach.

Source: Greenwood Today, "SCHP receives grants for DUI/safety belt education, enforcement", Oct. 24, 2011.