County to step up traffic enforcement

The Dorchester County Sheriff's Office is stepping up traffic enforcement in the county after receiving a Highway Safety Grant from the S.C. Department of Public Safety.

The office was informed of the $224,652 grant on Oct. 1, sheriff's Maj. John Garrison said.

"I think it's a great idea," Garrison said. "We're not the highest county in the state as far as traffic fatalities, but instead of waiting until we get there, we're trying to keep our accidents and fatalities low, even though our population is increasing."

Two full-time deputies will be hired and devoted strictly to preventive traffic enforcement, Garrison said.

"We're not hiring traffic people to go out and work wrecks," he said. "We're going to go after the things that cause wrecks."

Some might be upset because there will be a marked increase in DUI enforcement, Garrison said.

The goal is to reduce collisions, injuries and fatalities in the county by focusing on preventing violations.

Also, the deputies will be available to speak to groups on how to reduce traffic collisions.

The grant allows the Sheriff's Office to hire, equip and train two deputies at no expense to local taxpayers, Garrison said.

Residents can expect to see an increase in the number of "checkpoints" and the specially marked vehicles will be more visible, in an attempt to remind everyone to drive safely.

Other tri-county agencies that received Highway Safety grants this year include the Berkeley County and Charleston County sheriff's offices, and the Charleston, Hanahan, Mount Pleasant and Summerville police departments, according to Sid Gaulden of the Department of Public Safety.

Reach David W. MacDougall at 937-5655.