Safe Driving In The Heat of Summer

Memorial Day marked the beginning of this year's 100 Deadliest Days of Summer.  The 100 Deadliest Days of Summer is a campaign promoted by South Carolina police departments to keep people safe during the Summer. The campaign runs from Memorial Day until Labor Day.

This year, like previous years, troopers and police officers will be cracking down on drunk driving and promoting the importance of wearing a seat belt.

The well known campaign Buckle Up South Carolina just ended on June 6. Like last year, people who were wearing a seat belt when pulled over by officers received a gift certificate for a free Chick-Fil-A sandwich. Those who were not received a $25 fine.

And buckling up is important for children as well. Last year Shama Winston Ford's nine-month old baby, Kelly, tragically died in a car accident, while in the care of other family members. This may have been prevented if the baby was secured in the proper car seat. Now Ms. Ford is a spokesperson for "how important it is to wear seat belts and use car seats for children." Since Kelly's death, Ms. Ford has started a foundation called Car Seats for Kelly to bring awareness  to the general public about the imporance of seat belt and car seat safety. "[We want to] show parents the choice is theres. The things that they do really influence children, set the example for their children," Ms. Ford says.

Last year a reported 81.5% of motorist in South Carolina used their seat belts. As a matter of fact, the total number of fatalities caused by car accidents fell below 900 for the first time since 1995. Almost a third, 281, of these deaths happened during the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer last year.