4th of July holiday — local agencies offer reminders on boat and vehicle safety
LAKE MURRAY, SC (WOLO) — As 4th of July celebrations take off, local agencies want everyone to practice safe behaviors — especially when alcohol is involved.
It’s a message heard nearly every major holiday — buckle up, drive the speed limit, and never get behind the wheel impaired by drugs or alcohol.
“If they can remember those three things, I guarantee you we will have less crashes and less fatalities on our highways not only today and this holiday weekend, but every weekend,” says Col. Chris Williamson with the SC Highway Patrol.
And the message bears repeating, especially near the 4th of July, with SC Highway Patrol reporting nine deaths last year over the holiday weekend — five of those were drug or alcohol related.
“We will likely come to know some families across this state who are gonna experience that sort of tragedy this weekend. It is heartbreaking, we are tired of those phone calls, we are tired of having those tears on our shoulders,” says Steven Burritt, Regional Executive Director of MADD.
Independence Day marks the halfway point of what officers call “The 100 Deadliest Days of Summer” — with accidents heavily adding to the overall annual count.
“Last year, 446 cars hit poles in South Carolina. That’s more than one a day,” says President of Dominion Energy, Keller Kissam.
It’s not only a busy season for roadways, its equally busy for waterways — and when it comes to drinking alcohol, the legal limit remains .08.
“BUI equals DUI. It is unacceptable to drive impaired whether you are on the water or on the road,” says Burritt.
Law enforcement believes these deaths are preventable –and urges everyone to have someone in your party remain sober at all times.
“You gotta remember, with drinking and driving a boat, the heat, the humidity, it takes it out of you. You need to always have that sober skipper on board when you’re doing this. Just being out in the sun all day you think you’re good and you’re not,” says Col. Chisolm Frampton with SC Department of Natural Resources.
Free inspections are also available to make sure boaters have proper life jackets, fire extinguishers and other items.
“You won’t be ticketed. It’s a great opportunity to take your kids, have them interact with officers,” says Frampton.
Kids will also get coupons for a free shake from Wendy’s or Sonic if an officer sees them wearing their life vest.
For a link to information on boat inspections and safety tips, visit SC DNR’s website here. Or look below:
For a copy of South Carolina’s boating regulations, to find out about local boating safety courses, or to obtain a free float plan form, contact the SCDNR boating safety office at 1-800-277-4301 or visit http://www.dnr.sc.gov/education/boated.html.
July Fourth holiday boat inspection locations (all inspections are from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.):
Friday, July 4:
- Spartanburg County: Lake Bowen Landing
- Pickens County: Twin Lakes Landing
- Fairfield County: Molly Creek
- Lexington County: Lake Murray Dam
- Horry County: Bass Pro Shop
- Charleston County: Wapoo Cut Landing, ICW
- Beaufort County: Battery Creek Boat Landing
Saturday, July 5:
- Anderson County: River Fork Landing
- Oconee County: South Cove County Park
- Kershaw County: Clearwater Cove Landing, Lake Wateree
- Clarendon County: Alex Harvin Landing, Lake Marion
- Berkeley County: Hatchery Landing
- Charleston County: Remley’s Point
- Charleston County: Buck Hall Landing
Sunday, July 6:
- McCormick County: Scott’s Ferry, Lake Thurmond
- Greenwood County: Hwy. 72 Landing
- Oconee County: Seneca Creek, Lake Hartwell
- York County: Ebenezer Park
- Chesterfield County: Lake H.B. Robinson
- Lexington County: Lake Murray Dam
- Beaufort County: Lemon Island Boat Ramp
- Charleston County: Limehouse Landing
- Georgetown County: Carroll Campbell Boat Ramp
