South Carolina has a serious problem.

In a recent study conducted by Simrin Law Group, the state was named the worst in the country for drunken driving. Drunken drivers in the state were accountable for 43% of all traffic fatalities. This percentage significantly exceeded the national average of 32%. The study used the latest National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data to determine the finding.

S.C. is not the only state in the South with the problem. In Texas, drunken driving made up 42% of traffic fatalities, while in New Mexico, it was 33%. Other Southern states also landed in the study’s worst 10 states for drunken driving, indicating a dangerous pattern in the region.

What states were in the top 10 for drunken driving? And what states had the least incidents? Here’s what to know.

Top 10 states for drunken driving problems in 2024

∎ No. 1: South Carolina, 100.00 rating

∎ No. 2: Texas, 83.65

∎ No. 3: New Mexico, 80.77

∎ No. 4: Wyoming, 74.39

∎ No. 5: Montana, 71.72

∎ No. 6: Arizona, 70.31

∎ No. 7: Oregon, 70.25

∎ No. 8: Louisiana, 65.11

∎ No. 9: Mississippi, 63.55

∎ No. 10: Alabama, 60.96

Nearly half of SC’s fatal crashes involve alcohol

In the study, S.C. was determined the worst state for drunken driving in 2024, scoring 100 out of 100. Nearly half of the state’s fatal crashes involved alcohol, with 43% of traffic deaths due to drunken drivers. It also had 8.82 drunken driving deaths per 100,000 residents and 11.55 drunken drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers, two categories where it scored significantly higher than the national averages.

Greenville, Spartanburg lead SC in 2024 highway traffic deaths

The SC Department of Public Safety reported that Greenville County led the state in the most highway traffic deaths so far in 2024. Spartanburg was second. In Greenville, a total of 35 deaths were recorded between January and June 2. During that same time frame, Spartanburg recorded 25. Anderson County was fifth in the state with 16 fatalities. Larger population areas like Richland and Charleston counties, in comparison, had 18 and 23 traffic deaths respectively, according to a previous Greenville News story.

In 2022, Greenville led the state with 48 traffic deaths and 36 in 2021. Last year, Spartanburg County was in the lead with 31 fatalities.

S.C. Highway Patrol Trooper Mitch Ridgeway believes fast population growth and unsafe driving habits such as distracted driving, driving under the influence, and speeding are contributors to the rising numbers of fatalities.

“Things like impaired driving are very preventable typically in 2024 because there’s more information out now than ever on the dangers of impaired driving,” Ridgeway said in a previous Greenville News story. “There’s a lot of services out there now. … You can be responsible and have a designated driver planned if you decide to drink.”  

Key findings in the study

∎ In 2022, 13,500 lives were lost due to drunken driving, while 32% of traffic fatalities nationwide were alcohol related.

∎ Southern states lead the nation when it comes to drunken driving problems. S.C., Texas, and New Mexico all had drunken driving fatality rates exceeding the national average, while other Southern states like Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama followed closely behind.

∎ Northeastern states like Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut consistently rank among states with the lowest drunken driving rates. Greater access to public transportation and stricter DUI laws are factors that may be contributing to this.

Utah has the least drunken driving incidents nationwide

In comparison to S.C., Utah traffic fatalities involving alcohol were 22% of all the state’s traffic deaths, lower than the national average of 32%. Residents who died in drunken driving accidents were 2.08 out of every 100,000, and 2.99 out of every 100,000 licensed drivers were involved in fatal drunken-driving crashes.

Top 10 states with the least drunken driving problems in 2024

∎ No. 1: Utah, 31.39 rating

∎ No. 2: New Jersey, 31.79

∎ No. 3: Massachusetts, 31.80

∎ No. 4: Minnesota, 36.22

∎ No. 5: New York, 36.68

∎ No. 6: Alaska, 36.78

∎ No. 7: Pennsylvania, 39.31

∎ No. 8: Michigan, 40.64

∎ No. 9: Wisconsin, 41.03

∎ No. 10: Hawaii, 41.47

Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News. Reach her via email at ntran@gannett.com

GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA (WSPA) – The role of a mandatory reporter in South Carolina appears simple on the surface but it can be complicated for some professionals when needed to be put into practice.

According to the South Carolina Department of Social Services, “South Carolina law requires that certain professionals report known or suspected cases of child abuse or neglect, because they have unique opportunities to observe and interact with children.”

Dr. Roger Rhoades, a Greenville-based mental health therapist of 37 years, said some professionals may be hesitant to report.

“It’s why some people who have jury duty, don’t report for jury duty. There’s a certain amount of obligation involved,” said Rhoades. “There’s a certain amount of involvement involved and in this day and age, some people are hesitant to be involved.”

There are eight categories of professionals that must submit reports to the proper authorities:

• Healthcare professionals: physicians, nurses, dentists, optometrists, medical examiners or coroners or their employees, emergency medical services, mental health or allied health professionals
• Educational professionals: teachers, counselors, principals, school attendance officers
• Social or public assistance professionals: substance abuse treatment staff, childcare workers, foster parents
• Legal professionals: police or law enforcement officers, juvenile justice workers, volunteer non-attorney guardians serving on behalf of the South Carolina Guardian ad Litem program or on behalf of Richland County CASA, judges
• Undertakers, funeral home directors, or their employees
• Film processors
• Computer technicians
• Clergy, including Christian Science Practitioners or religious healers (subject to laws governing privileged communication)

According to the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office: “mandatory reporters need not have conclusive proof that a child has been abused or neglected prior to reporting abuse or neglect to the proper authorities.”

For Rhoades, the mandatory reporting system is an important tool that should be utilized by everyone.

“Without the mandatory reporting [children are] victimized by the predator and victimized by a system that keeps it quiet,” said Rhoades.

He said it’s up to the mandatory reporters to see that the courage victims show by speaking up is validated.

“It’s important because abuse brings with it shame and shame keeps people’s mouths closed,” said Rhoades.

No matter the age of the person confiding in a mandatory reporter, it should always be taken seriously if the signs are there.

“Facts follow, if a kid brings it up, it’s a huge mountain they’ve climbed and [you should] check it out. Clear it. Believe it first, clear it later,” said Rhoades.

To report suspected child abuse or neglect, contact the SCDSS 24-hour, toll-free hotline at 1-888-CARE4US or 1-888-227-3487. This hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Intake staff will assist the person making the report and assess the information provided to determine if an investigation is necessary. You can also click or tap here to file a report.

COLUMBIA — Dawn Staley will be well represented at this year’s ESPY Awards as her current team and former player A’ja Wilson combined for three nominations.

South Carolina women’s basketball is nominated for the “best team” award and Wilson is nominated for both “best WNBA player” and “best athlete, women’s sports.”

The award show is on July 11 (ABC, 8 p.m. ET), in Los Angeles, hosted by Serena Williams.

On Wednesday morning, ESPN revealed the entire list of nominees. Wilson’s current WNBA team, the Las Vegas Aces, is up against Staley’s squad for the award.

2024 ESPYS: Best team award nominees

• South Carolina Gamecocks, NCAA Women’s Basketball
• Kansas City Chiefs, NFL
• Michigan Wolverines, NCAA Football
• Las Vegas Aces, WNBA
• University of Connecticut Huskies, NCAA Men’s Basketball
• Oklahoma Sooners, NCAA Softball
• Boston Celtics, NBA
• Florida Panthers, NHL
• Texas Rangers, MLB

Every team nominated won their respective championship in the 2023-24 season.

Wilson is competing against Caitlin Clark formerly of Iowa women’s basketball and now of the Indiana Fever. Iowa lost to South Carolina in the NCAA championship on April 7. Clark plays with former Gamecocks star Aliyah Boston on the Fever, after being picked No. 1 overall in the 2024 WNBA draft.

2024 ESPYS: Best athlete, women’s sports award nominees

• Caitlin Clark, Iowa Women’s Basketball
• Coco Gauff, Tennis
• Nelly Korda, Golf
• A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces

Wilson’s second award is specific to the WNBA.

2024 ESPYS: Best WNBA player:

• Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx
• Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty
• Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut Sun
• A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces

WILSON’S LOGO: WNBA star A’ja Wilson responds to criticism over new Nike signature logo design

Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin