The Hartsville Police Department continued its efforts during this dangerous time of year to keep impaired drivers off of the roadways.  Hartsville Police Department’s number one mission is to keep the residents and visitors of Hartsville safe.  In keeping with this priority, HPD used and participated in several public safety checkpoints along with aggressive criminal enforcement of impaired drivers.  Labor Day weekend is the official end of the summer travel season and as of mid-August, the data looks better than what was reported in 2018.  According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, the preliminary statistics are showing around a 19 percent decrease in fatalities for this summer compared to 2018. So far in 2019, 188 people have died traveling South Carolina roadways since Memorial Day, compared to 232 in 2018.  Highway fatalities as a whole are also down for the entire year compared to last year at this time. Since January, 583 people have died compared to 636 last year at this time.

The Hartsville Police Department would like to thank its residents and visitors for doing their part to keep the roadways in Hartsville safe during this dangerous time of year.  We want to remind everyone to continue to take your time getting to your destination.  Do not text and drive.  If you need to check a message or send one, please pull over to a safe location to do so.  Please always wear your seatbelt and make sure all passengers and children in your vehicle are properly restrained in a seatbelt or safety seat before you depart.  Please remember that our DUI officer continues to work hard to stop impaired drivers.  If you plan to drink, please have a designated driver.  We plan to continue to use public safety checkpoints as the holiday season approaches, and even more once the holiday season gets here.

 

Enforcement results for 2019 (Jan. 1-Sept. 1)

Driving Under the Influence 42
Broken Seal/Open Container 54
Speeding 265
Driving Under Suspension/ No SC Driver’s License 328
Seatbelt/Child Restraint 147
Reckless Driving 21
Child Endangerment 1
Other Traffic Related Charges 893