Bike deaths up across state as total traffic fatalities drop

Overall highway deaths in South Carolina in 2024 dropped to the lowest level in four years, according to state data. But the number of deaths of bicyclists rose last year by almost 50%.

Preliminary reports show 985 people died last year on South Carolina roads, a 6% drop from the 1,045 people killed in 2023 on the state’s roadways, according to S.C. Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) data. Numbers were higher in 2022 (1,048 deaths) and 2021 (1,193 deaths). Meanwhile, a 2024 WalletHub report showed South Carolina had the nation’s highest rate of fatalities per 100 million miles of vehicle travel.

While traffic-related deaths dropped last year, the number of deaths involving bicyclists rose from 23 in 2023 to 34 last year, data showed. In 2021, 23 bicyclists died on state roads; 21 died in 2022.

Katie Zimmerman, executive director of the bike advocacy group Charleston Moves, said state data was following national trends.

“It points again to bad design,” she said. “We are not investing enough money and enough time in good infrastructure that is designed for the safety of our most vulnerable travelers.

She said she realized people often talked about providing more education and enforcement to improve safety numbers. But design needed to be in the discussion, too, she said.

“The bottom line is if you don’t have a safe space to be and a street is designed to encourage motorists to be distracted and to speed, more people are going to be killed. It’s just the unfortunate reality of our design standards, investment and our bike-ped infrastructure.”

Charleston is on the way to improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists with the construction of West Ashley Crossing, a $90+ million bike-walk bridge over the Ashley River to connect West Ashley with downtown. Currently, bikers and walkers have to use a pair of old bridges over the river that have unsafe, narrow shoulders.

But the state still has a long way to go to improve safety compared to other states. A new report by WalletHub showed South Carolina was the nation’s 18th best state for driving, it ranked ninth worst for safety.

In other annual traffic numbers, according to state data:

Pedestrian deaths: 154 in 2024; 159 (2023); 163 (2022); 194 (2021).
Motorcycle deaths: 129 in 2024; 140 (2023); 137 (2022); 160 (2021).
Total deaths: 998 in 2024; 1,045 (2023); 1,088 (2022); 1,193 (2021).

SIDEBAR: State roads need work

According to a 2021 report by the S.C. Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers, South Carolina’s roads need work. While the state raised the state’s gasoline tax in 2017 by 12 cents per gallon over six years after neglecting road maintenance for three decades, billions of dollars of roadway needs are still projected by 2040.

“Based on data from 2018, 74% of the interstate pavements are in good condition, 14% are fair and 12% are in poor condition,” the report said. “Unfortunately, the same does not appear to be true for the primary and secondary roads, where the good condition pavements are less than 30%, the fair-condition pavements are about 20% and poor condition pavements are approximately 50%.”

Nevertheless, the state has completed or is about to complete major interstate projects in Greenville and Columbia and is working on lane-widening on Interstate 26.

SIDEBAR: Tips for driving safely in South Carolina

Here are some suggestions to stay safe on South Carolina’s roadways, according to SCDPS and other sources:

Be careful in wet conditions. Make sure your headlights are on. If you skid, steer in the direction of the skid. Watch out for standing water.

Use caution in work zones. Slow down to allow for any unforeseen circumstances, such as workers entering roadways.
Drive defensively. Anticipate dangers and be prepared to react safely.

Aggressive drivers. Let reckless or aggressive drivers get around you. Keep a safe distance away. Never try to “compete” with this kind of driver. Just stay away.
Slow down. Don’t speed. Maintain a safe distance from vehicles in front of you – don’t tailgate.

Don’t look at your phone while driving. Distracted drivers have accidents.

Stay alert. Not only check for cyclists and pedestrians, but don’t drive when fatigued.

SIDEBAR: Tips for cycling safely on S.C.’s roadways

Be consistent. “Do your best to be consistent in how you’re riding, so that motorists can at least attempt to try to anticipate [what you’re doing],” Zimmerman said in a 2023 story.
Get lights for your bike. Bike lights are required by state law and help cars see cyclists at night. Nice lights can be expensive, but local organizers can help. Second Chance offers bike lights for around $15, and Charleston Moves distributes free bike lights several times per year.
Check your ABCs. That’s Check your air in tires, brakes and chain.
Plan your route in advance and familiarize yourself with it.
Be comfortable with safety equipment, including helmets, mirrors, lights and bells.
Be deferential. “Pedestrians are who everybody should defer to, whether you’re in a car or on a bike because pedestrians are the most vulnerable of all,” Zimmerman said.