COLUMBIA, S.C. — From fireworks to food, the Fourth of July has its way of bringing people together.
Zach Pierson joins the nearly 48 million people AAA expects to travel this holiday weekend by road and sky.
"Probably about to head to Sumter, you know? Chill with the fam," Pierson said. "My nieces and nephews. Probably shoot some fireworks, enjoy the cookout.”
As travel nears pre-pandemic levels, more officers will be out to keep everyone safe, according to Master Trooper David Jones with the S.C. Highway Patrol.
"The S.C. Highway Patrol is going to be out in full force throughout the weekend and the Independence Day holiday," Jones said. "Our biggest thing is… make sure you get a designated driver. All too often during these holidays, we see where good people make poor decisions. We don’t want that poor decision to lead into a DUI arrest or a collision or a traffic fatality.”
Limiting distractions, reducing speed, and wearing a seatbelt are all everyday steps to keep in mind.
"If you see somebody driving reckless, call local law enforcement," Jones said. "Not only are we going to have sobriety checkpoints, but… we're going to be looking for people who make the poor decision not to buckle up and to speed as well. So, be safe. Be smart. Have a good Fourth, but start at home before you get in the vehicle with making good decisions."
So far, traffic deaths are down this year compared to last year, according to the S.C. Department of Public Safety, a trend they hope to maintain by encouraging everyone to travel safely.