South-Carolina

South Carolina is worst state in nation for drunk driving fatalities: What to know

Published

1 year ago

June 27, 2024

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South Carolina is worst state in nation for drunk driving fatalities: What to know

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.

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

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South-Carolina

Democratic State Rep. Jermaine Johnson enters race to become South Carolina’s next governor

Published

22 hours ago

October 28, 2025

Press Room

Democratic State Rep. Jermaine Johnson enters race to become South Carolina’s next governor

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) – Jermaine Johnson, a Democratic state lawmaker who’s been openly exploring a bid for higher office for months, is officially entering the 2026 race for governor of South Carolina.

Johnson formed an exploratory committee in May, arguing then that the state was at a crossroads and in need of leadership that “listens, leads with integrity, and puts people before politics.”

The state lawmaker is expected to make his campaign official during a Tuesday evening event on the steps of the Statehouse.

In a launch video posted to social media Tuesday morning, Johnson described himself as a “different kind of Democrat,” referencing his defeat of a longtime incumbent in the 2020 Democratic Primary for House District 80.

“Five years ago, when I looked and saw the same politicians get the same results, I knew I had to do something,” he says in the video. “So I took on my own party and I won. Big.”

“Because we got to call out Democrats when they aren’t getting the job done,” he continued. “Same thing for Republicans.”

Since his election, Johnson has become a prominent voice in the state’s Democratic coalition, often drawing on personal experiences to shape his arguments on the House floor.

His life’s story, from growing up homeless and losing his brother to gun violence to becoming a College of Charleston basketball star and eventually rising to political power, was chronicled in a documentary released last November.

The primary for the first open governor’s race in more than a decade will be held next June. Gov. Henry McMaster is unable to run again due to term limits.

Johnson is the second Democrat to throw his hat in the ring behind Charleston attorney Mullins McLeod, who launched his bid over the summer.

News 2 is Your Local Election Headquarters | Get the latest information on races across the Lowcountry and South Carolina

Five candidates are seeking the Republican nomination: Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, State. Sen. Josh Kimbrell, U.S. Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman, and Attorney General Alan Wilson.

Whoever wins the Democratic nomination will be a decided underdog in the general election, as a Republican has won every gubernatorial race in South Carolina since 2002.

This story is developing and may be updated.

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South-Carolina

SLED identifies person of interest in South Carolina State shootings

Published

2 days ago

October 27, 2025

Press Room

SLED identifies person of interest in South Carolina State shootings

ORANGEBURG, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — South Carolina authorities have identified a person of interest connected to the shootings that killed a woman at South Carolina State earlier this month.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division announced Monday that it plans to speak with a an unidentified person they say he was on S.C. State’s campus the night of Oct. 4. That night, 19-year-old Jaliyah Butler was killed and another man was seriously injured.

In the days following the shooting, police charged Matthew Daniel McCoy with pointing and presenting a firearm at a person and carrying a weapon on school property.

Anyone with information, including the person of interest pictured below, can contact SLED
by calling 866-472-8477 and/or by emailing tips@sled.sc.gov.

Photos are sourced from S.C. State’s campus security cameras.

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South-Carolina

South Carolina’s Underrated Lakeside State Park Has A Coveted Campground Nestled In Pristine Nature – Islands

Published

3 days ago

October 26, 2025

Press Room

South Carolina’s Underrated Lakeside State Park Has A Coveted Campground Nestled In Pristine Nature – Islands

Cesar Zapata-Lozada/Shutterstock

Tucked away on the western edge of South Carolina is a dazzling, 26,650-acre lake with an untouched shoreline, and is the perfect place to unwind with the sights and sounds of nature. Fed by the Savannah River, the lake was created in 1984 from construction of the Richard P. Russell Dam, and provides some incredible fishing opportunities for catfish, bass, and crappie. The fishing is so incredible that several tournaments are held each year, including a kid’s fishing tournament from the U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers.

The lake is home to Calhoun Falls State Park, an underrated lakeside jewel that’s just 40 minutes from Greenwood, a South Carolina city with small-town vibes, Southern charm, and boutique shops. The park has a massive campground with two different camping areas, and a number of campsites offer unparalleled views overlooking the water. There are also several picnic shelters that are perfect for group camping and fishing trips away from the hustle and bustle of city life and everyday stress.

Things to do at Calhoun Falls State Park

Kristen Foxx/Shutterstock

Fishing and camping are the two main draws at Calhoun Falls State Park. There are 86 sites for tent camping and RVs, all sites have electric and water, plus laundry machines and a dump station. If you’re bringing a boat, a marina within the park offers 36 slips plus a ramp and a beach area for relaxing. Visitors are welcome to swim in the lake — although there’s no lifeguard on duty. If you want to go fishing but don’t have your own gear, the park has a tackle lending program with rods, reels, and tackle boxes available. Visitors can also play tennis or volleyball, or check out the moderately-difficult wooded hiking trail that traverses over footbridges and offers some fantastic views.

Despite its name, there are no waterfalls at the park — it was named after the town of Calhoun Falls which had a set of shoals. If travelers want to explore the surrounding area by car, the park is located about an hour’s drive from Athens, Georgia, a college town that’s an artsy gem with food, music, and family-friendly activities. If you’re flying in, the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport is your best bet, and is about an hour and 30 minutes’ drive from Calhoun Falls State Park. For some down time to unwind after the flight, the charming city of Greenville has a roster of hotels to choose from, and its flower-filled park with a river, waterfalls, and trails is worth a visit.

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