Being injured by a drunk driver is devastating. Another person’s reckless decision to drink and drive has left you with painful injuries, mounting medical bills, and lost time at work. In addition to physical pain, you are likely unsure of what to do next and how you’ll pay your expenses.
If this happened to you or a loved one in South Carolina, understanding the scope of the problem can help you make informed decisions about your next steps.
Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm has fought for individuals injured by reckless drivers for over 30 years. Call (864) 721-6885 for a free consultation. You won’t pay us anything unless we recover compensation for you.
The Scope of Drunk Driving Crashes in South Carolina
South Carolina consistently ranks among the states with the highest level of alcohol-impaired driving. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) tracks DUI crash data statewide, and the numbers reveal a persistent, deadly problem that affects communities across the state.
According to SCDPS, there were 5,319 collisions in South Carolina in 2023 that involved alcohol or drugs. Of those, 367 people were killed, and 3,372 individuals were injured. The 2023 SCDPS Traffic Collision Fact Book states that approximately every 21.2 hours, one person is killed in a DUI collision (with a BAC of .08 or higher). Separately, the Fact Book shows that “Driver Under Influence” was listed as the primary contributing factor in 236 fatal collisions, 2,074 injury collisions, and 2,504 property-damage-only collisions in 2023, resulting in 262 deaths and 304 serious injuries.
The trend in recent years has been concerning. According to South Carolina’s Triennial Highway Safety Plan, alcohol-impaired driving fatalities increased by 96 deaths from 2017 to 2021, and both alcohol-impaired and unrestrained occupant fatalities rose from 2020 to 2021. While overall traffic fatalities in South Carolina have declined from a peak of 1,198 in 2021 to 1,093 in 2022 and then to 1,047 in 2023, impaired driving has remained a consistent factor. In January 2025, SCDPS reported that overall fatal crashes fell another 9% in 2024, marking the fourth consecutive annual decline and the lowest level in at least seven years. Despite that overall progress, the SCDPS Sober or Slammer campaign notes that nearly half of all fatal crashes in South Carolina still involve an impaired driver.
Every one of these numbers represents a real person whose life was permanently changed because someone decided to get behind the wheel after drinking.
How South Carolina Compares to National Averages
Nationwide, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 12,429 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes across the United States in 2023, accounting for roughly 30% of all traffic deaths. South Carolina’s share of that toll is disproportionately high for its population size.
According to NHTSA’s State Alcohol-Impaired-Driving Estimates, South Carolina had the highest alcohol-impaired driving fatality rate in the entire country in both 2022 and 2023. In 2022, South Carolina’s rate was 0.80 alcohol-impaired fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT), nearly double the national rate of 0.42. In 2023, the state’s rate was 0.68 per 100 million VMT, still the highest in the nation and well above the national rate of 0.38. In 2022, an estimated 43% of all traffic fatalities in South Carolina involved an alcohol-impaired driver, tied with Rhode Island for the highest percentage of any state, compared to 32% nationally.
The state consistently ranks among the worst in the nation for DUI-related traffic deaths, a ranking that has persisted for years. Rural road networks with limited lighting and law enforcement coverage, higher speeds on two-lane highways, and longer distances between communities contribute to South Carolina’s elevated rates. For those injured by drunk drivers here, these comparisons highlight an important reality: this is a well-documented, preventable problem, and the legal system provides clear paths for holding impaired drivers accountable.
When and Where Drunk Driving Crashes Happen Most
Drunk driving crashes follow predictable patterns. Understanding when and where they concentrate shows just how widespread this problem is across South Carolina.
Time of day and day of week
NHTSA data shows that most alcohol-impaired driving fatalities across the country happen between 9 pm and 3 am. Weekends see a disproportionate share of crashes. South Carolina closely follows the same pattern. According to SCDPS data, nearly 60% of non-fatal DUI collisions in the state occur on weekends (Friday through Sunday), and the 9 pm to midnight window accounts for the highest share of non-fatal DUI crashes in the state.
Seasonal patterns
Holiday weekends and summer months see consistent spikes in drunk driving crashes. The periods surrounding Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s Eve are especially dangerous on South Carolina roads. SCDPS conducts targeted “Sober or Slammer!” enforcement campaigns around each of these major holiday weekends, reflecting the documented spikes in impaired driving during these periods. SCDPS statistics for 2018 through 2022 show there were 28,083 DUI-related collisions reported statewide over that five-year span, and enforcement ramps up significantly during these high-risk holiday periods, with more than 16,000 DUI arrests made statewide in a recent year.
Most dangerous counties and corridors
According to the SCDPS, the counties with the highest numbers of traffic collisions in recent years include Charleston, Greenville, Richland, Horry, and Spartanburg. Greenville County alone reported 3,464 injury collisions and 99 fatal collisions in 2022. These same counties consistently rank among the state’s most dangerous for overall traffic crashes, and the concentration of population and vehicle traffic makes them significant contributors to the statewide DUI crash total. Greenville County averages approximately eight DUI-related deaths per year, according to Governors Highway Safety Association data. Statewide, nearly 40% of non-fatal DUI collisions occur on secondary roads, with another 20% happening on primary routes.
These geographic patterns reinforce just how real the danger is for drivers across every part of South Carolina.
If you’ve been hurt by a drunk driver, you don’t have to navigate the legal process alone. Call (864) 721-6885 for a free case review. Attorney Dan Pruitt personally works on every case.
BAC Levels and Crash Severity
South Carolina, like every state, sets the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit at 0.08% for drivers 21 and older. But impairment begins well before reaching the legal limit.
Here’s how rising BAC levels affect driving ability.
- 0.02%: Some loss of judgment and altered mood.
- 0.05%: Reduced coordination, difficulty steering, and slower response to emergencies.
- 0.08%: Poor muscle coordination, impaired judgment, and difficulty detecting danger (legal limit).
- 0.10%: Clear deterioration of reaction time and vehicle control.
- 0.15%: Substantial impairment of attention, information processing, and vehicle control.
Understanding these impairment levels matters because crashes happen at every BAC range, not just those above the legal limit.
NHTSA’s 2023 data shows that 33% of all car crash fatalities in South Carolina involved a driver with a BAC of 0.15% or higher, more than double the legal limit. This tracks with national data showing that 67% of all alcohol-impaired driving deaths in 2023 involved at least one driver with a BAC of 0.15% or higher. South Carolina also had the fifth-highest rate of alcohol-impaired drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers (7.57) in 2023.
Nationally, drivers with BAC levels of 0.15% or higher are involved in the majority of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities. These extremely intoxicated drivers pose the greatest danger on our roads. Crashes involving high-BAC drivers tend to be more severe, with higher fatality rates and more serious injuries for survivors.
Why These Statistics Matter for Your Case
These South Carolina drunk driving accident statistics are more than just numbers. They represent a pattern of preventable tragedies that continues year after year. When someone chooses to drive drunk and injures you, they’re not simply making a personal mistake. They’re part of a well-documented public safety crisis.
This context strengthens your legal case in several important ways.
Establishing negligence. Statistics show that drunk driving is a known, serious hazard. When someone drives impaired, they’re choosing to engage in conduct they know creates substantial risk of harm to others.
Demonstrating the severity of the problem. Courts and insurance companies understand that drunk driving isn’t a minor lapse in judgment. It’s serious misconduct that regularly kills and injures innocent individuals.
Supporting damage claims. The documented patterns of severe injuries and deaths in DUI crashes help establish that your injuries aren’t unusual or unexpected consequences of this type of crash.
In South Carolina, you generally have three years from the date of your crash to file a personal injury lawsuit (S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-530). Our state follows a modified comparative negligence rule with a 50% bar, which means you can recover compensation as long as you’re less than 50% at fault for the crash.
Don’t wait to protect your rights. Attorney Dan Pruitt has been fighting for injured individuals since 1993, and he personally handles every case. Call (864) 721-6885 today for a free consultation. We’re located at 300 Pettigru St #100 in Greenville, and we serve clients throughout South Carolina.
Getting Help After a Drunk Driving Crash
The aftermath of a drunk driving crash can feel overwhelming. You’re dealing with injuries, medical appointments, insurance calls, and financial stress while working to recover physically and emotionally. You shouldn’t have to face this alone.
At Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm, we handle drunk-driving accident cases on a contingency-fee basis. That means you don’t pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. We understand that money is often tight after a serious crash, and we don’t want cost concerns to prevent you from receiving experienced legal representation.
We can help you understand your rights, investigate your crash, work with the insurance companies, and fight for full compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Attorney Dan Pruitt has 30 years of success helping injured individuals throughout South Carolina.
While the drunk driving statistics in our state are sobering, they also show that you’re not alone in this experience. Many individuals have faced similar situations and successfully recovered compensation with the right legal help.
Call (864) 721-6885 today to discuss your case with our drunk driving accident lawyers. We’re available 24/7, and your consultation is completely free. We’re here to help you move forward after this difficult time.
Sources referenced in this blog:
- SCDPS 2023 Traffic Collision Fact Book (scdps.sc.gov)
- SCDPS press release, May 17, 2024 (2023 DUI collision totals)
- SCDPS news release, January 2025 (2024 fatal crash decline)
- SCDPS Sober or Slammer page (scdps.sc.gov/scsoberorslammer)
- NHTSA State Alcohol-Impaired-Driving Estimates: 2022 Data (DOT HS 813 579)
- NHTSA State Alcohol-Impaired-Driving Estimates: 2023 Data (DOT HS 813 726)
- NHTSA Alcohol-Impaired Driving: 2023 Data (DOT HS 813 713)
- South Carolina FFY 2024-2026 Triennial Highway Safety Plan