DWI/DUI OVERVIEW
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This page refers to DUI Statistics in South Carolina.

Since laws differ between states, if you are located in North Carolina, please click here.

Drunk Driving & DUI Statistics in South Carolina

South Carolina earned the dubious title of being the fifth highest ranking state for drunk driving problems per capita based on an analysis of data from the 2018 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Centers for Disease Control, and FBI. The report focused on stats involving DUI crash fatalities and DUI arrests to rank the states. South Carolina’s rate of drunk driving deaths (5.7 deaths per 100,000 people) earned its spot as the only Southern state in the top 5 with the highest drunk driving problems.

South Carolina was the fifth highest-ranking state for drunk driving problems per capita

South Carolina Drunk Driving Stats
(per 100,000 people)

• Deaths in SC: 5.7
• DUI Arrests in SC : 304

In South Carolina, drivers with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher are considered to be driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol, but a BAC between in excess of 0.05 percent and less than 0.08 percent can be considered along with other evidence to determine whether the driver was under the influence. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety reported that nearly 22,000 DUI arrests were made in South Carolina in 2017.

If you have been injured in a DUI accident, or have a loved one who was injured or killed in this type of accident, protect your rights and contact a personal injury lawyer in South Carolina.

How Prevalent Are DUI Accidents in South Carolina?

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety’s 2017 Traffic Collision Fact Book records some startling statistics about DUI accidents.

In South Carolina:

  • One person was killed in a DUI collision every 28 hours
  • “Driver Under the Influence” was the leading (21.6%) primary contributing factor of fatal collisions
  • “Driver Under Influence” was cited as the primary contributory factor for:
    • 200 fatal collisions resulting in 214 deaths
    • 2,414 injury collisions resulting in 3,553 people being injured
    • 2,557 property damage only collisions
  • 32% of the total fatalities in South Carolina were considered alcohol-impaired deaths as compared to a national percentage of 29%

Where Do DUI Accidents Happen the Most in SC?

South Carolina Counties with Highest Non-Fatal DUI CollisionsFrom 2013–2017, the five counties in South Carolina with the highest number of non-fatal DUI collisions were:

  • Greenville – 11%
  • Horry – 9%
  • Richland – 7%
  • Spartanburg – 6%
  • Lexington – 6%

Almost 40% of the non-fatal DUI collisions in the state occurred on the state’s secondary roads, and nearly 20% happened on South Carolina primary roads.

When Do DUI Accidents Happen Most Often in SC?

As might be expected, the majority of DUI traffic accidents in 2017 occurred during the weekend – almost 60% of South Carolina’s non-fatal DUI collisions occurred on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Also unsurprisingly, the 9:00 pm to midnight timeframe had the most non-fatal DUI accidents – 21%.

South Carolina non-fatal DUI collisions classified by day and time of the event

Contact the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin

Don’t let these stats scare you. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident in South Carolina involving a DUI driver, contact us today for a free case evaluation. It’s important to be informed when seeking the compensation you may deserve.

At the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, we will only take your case if we think we can help you. We work on a contingency fee basis so you don’t have to pay an hourly attorney fee.2

Take care of yourself and let us worry about the details of your case. Call us today at 1-866-900-7078. We now have an office in Greenville, South Carolina.

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