Law enforcement in the Lowcountry is reporting a decline in drunk driving throughout the New Year’s Eve and Day timeframe.

Lowcountry law enforcement reports a significant drop in DUI arrests and impaired driving incidents over New Year’s Eve and Day, attributing success to heightened saturation patrols and inter-agency cooperation.​

Enforcement Stats

Summerville Police issued 41 citations, including 14 for speeding but zero for impairment. Charleston Police logged 13 arrests (none DUI-related), Charleston County Sheriff’s Office had 4 DUIs, and Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office reported 2.​

Safety Trends

Agencies note impaired driving often happens near home, prompting widespread patrols that reduced statewide fatalities and local crashes for the second straight year in Berkeley County.​

Hands Free Law

South Carolina’s Hands Free Law now enforces bans on texting or handheld cellphone use while driving, aiming to curb distractions alongside DUI efforts.

SOURCE