Top Reasons Aiken Drivers Don’t Wear Seatbelts

Aiken, SC—A new study from the University of South Carolina finds that across the state, more South Carolinians are buckling up.
   
But in Aiken County, fatal accidents are up for the year, and most of the deaths are blamed on someone not wearing their seatbelt.

Lance Coporal Scot Edgeworth, SC Highway Patrol: “Seatbelts do save lives, and we think about seatbelts, sometimes too late.“

South Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper Scot Edgeworth says they hear excuses that range from someone not wanting to wrinkle their clothes…to a person claiming they can do what they want in their car.

But according to lawmakers, you can’t. It’s a law in South Carolina that you must buckle up, or get pulled over and pay a $25 fine.

And, if there’s an accident, Trooper Edgeworth says you could end up paying more.

L/Cpl Edgeworth: “Without that seatbelt on, you yourself become another object, and unfortunately, you might strike someone that you know and hold dear to you.”

Most people without their seatbelt told us, they were going around the corner.

Man on the street: “I’m just going to the store right here and back.

Even though numbers show three out of four crashes happen within 25 miles of a person’s home.

Driver: “I’ve been in a wreck before, and it protected me. So, it’s good to have your seatbelt on when you’re just going down the road…just in case something happens.“

The message is the same…

L/Cpl Edgeworth: “The one thing you can do is buckle up.“

And, even though it’s working in some parts of the state…

Driver: “I didn’t have it on just now…“

Law enforcement is working to better drive it home here in Aiken.