DUIs yield to crackdown in Horry, Georgetown counties

DUI-related crashes dropped slightly so far this year in Horry and Georgetown counties as state public safety officials continue to target the crime they say is a leading cause of traffic deaths in the state.

New television commercials and increased patrols and enforcement are among the efforts to cut the number of people driving under the influence and without seat belts through the Labor Day holiday weekend, which also marks the end of the S.C. Department of Public Safety's 100 Deadly Days of Summer safety campaign.

"DUI is a careless disregard for human life. DUI is a crime," said Mark Keel, state public safety director. "And we can all be crime fighters; not just men and women in uniform. Concerned citizens who call *HP [on a cell phone] to report a drunk driver are fighting crime, just as a sober person who says to an intoxicated friend, 'I'll take the keys tonight.'"

State officials kicked off the annual "Sober or Slammer" blitz Friday and will continue it through Sept. 6, said Lance Cpl. Sonny Collins with the Highway Patrol.

Police across the state are working with the department to conduct checkpoints and increase patrols for DUI drivers, according to authorities.

Myrtle Beach police Capt. David Knipes said more officers will be on city streets as part of increased patrols and visibility to seek voluntary compliance from drivers.

S.C. troopers in Horry County arrested 792 motorists on driving-under-the-influence charges from Jan. 1 to Aug. 18 and responded to 195 DUI-related crashes. In that period last year, they arrested 908 drivers and recorded 199 DUI-related crashes, Collins said.

In Georgetown County during the same period this year, Collins said there have been 265 DUI arrests and 42 DUI-related crashes. Last year troopers worked 186 DUI arrests and 50 DUI-related crashes.

"It's good to see that we are arresting more impaired drivers," Collins said. "But at the same time we have a lot of drivers who are out driving impaired, so that's why we need everybody's help when they see someone they believe is driving under the influence or in a safe manner to dial *47 or *HP."

Public involvement in enforcement efforts is key to combating the problem, authorities said.

"I believe when you involve people and give them the tools to make their communities and roadways safer such as *HP, they feel a sense of partnership and duty," Highway Patrol Col. Kenny Lancaster Jr. said. "Also our strong partnerships and multijurisdictional enforcement efforts with local law enforcement agencies have been a driving force in bringing down fatality numbers and increasing DUI arrests."

In addition to enforcing DUI laws on highways, officials will also increase efforts along the areas waterways this holiday to enforce boating under the influence laws, said Col. Alvin Taylor with the state Department of Natural Resources.

"Even if you beat the odds and survive an impaired-driving crash," Keel said, "be aware that the consequences of driving drunk can still place a heavy burden - financially and otherwise - on you and your family."