South Carolina’s Deadliest Roads and Fatal Accident Statistics

MoneyGeek analyzed the 2,853 deadly crashes in South Carolina from 2018 to 2020 to determine which roads in the state are deadliest for driving. Out of the Palmetto State’s 166,594 miles of road, we analyzed data for 617 roads in this study. MoneyGeek also identified various factors contributing to these fatal accidents, including risky driving behaviors, such as distracted driving, drunk driving and speeding, and environmental elements, like time of the year. Our analysis also summarizes data for every county in South Carolina and pinpointed the deadliest road in each.

The count of fatal crashes in South Carolina increased by 4.3% from 2019 to 2020. Although those crashes involving distracted driving decreased by 29.6% during the same period, deadly accidents connected to speeding and drunk driving increased by 5.5% and 26.6%, respectively.

• Wade Hampton Boulevard from Donan Road to Freebird Boulevard is the deadliest stretch of road in South Carolina. Between 2018–2020, 12 fatal accidents occurred here.

• Almost half of the total fatal accidents — 44.7% — in South Carolina from 2018 to 2020 involved speeding. That’s 1,275 incidents out of 2,853.

• Drunk driving was a contributing factor in 31.0% of deadly crashes between 2018 and 2020. However, only 5.7% involved distracted driving.

• October had the most fatal accidents between 2018–2020. May had the second-highest number of recorded incidents, with 268. August and September followed close behind, each having 261 deadly crashes.

• Greenville County had the highest number of deadly crashes of any county. The majority of these accidents happened on US-25.

Of the 2,853 fatal crashes in South Carolina from 2018 to 2020, 31% involved drunk driving — that's 885 recorded incidents.

Your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level determines whether or not you're legally intoxicated. Although the legal limit in South Carolina is 0.08%, the Cleveland Clinic found that a BAC of 0.02% can affect your judgment and, thus, your driving abilities. Drunk driving may not always lead to fatalities, but it puts you and your passengers at risk. The costs of drunk driving are extensive (and expensive). You'll face potential penalties such as paying fines, losing your driving privileges and even spending time in jail.

Drivers with a DUI conviction may also find it challenging to find affordable car insurance in South Carolina. If you have a DUI, you’re also required to carry SR-22 insurance in South Carolina, which is more expensive than other types of coverage.

In South Carolina, speeding was a factor in 1,275 fatal crashes or 44.7% of all fatal accidents from 2018 to 2020. Driving above the allowable speed limit puts you and your passengers at significant risk. You're more likely to lose control of your car and reduce the effectiveness of your vehicle's safety features, like seat belts and airbags, leading to more severe injuries or even death.

From 2018 to 2020, 5.7% of deadly crashes (162 reported incidents) in South Carolina involved distracted driving. The state implemented a distracted driving law in 2014, banning drivers from texting while behind the wheel. The Palmetto State ranked No.25 in MoneyGeek's worst states for distracted driving study — that's better than 51% of other states and the District of Columbia.

Between 2018 and 2020, most deadly crashes in South Carolina occurred in October. Of 2,853 recorded incidents in the state, 291 (or 10.2%) happened during that month. The month with the next-highest number of fatal motor vehicle accidents was May, with 268 crashes. August and September were next, each having 261.

Being a safe driver protects you, your loved ones and other motorists sharing South Carolina's roadways with you. However, accidents still happen no matter how careful you are, and having a full coverage car insurance policy ensures financial protection after a collision.

The average cost of car insurance in South Carolina is $1,139 annually, the same as the typical auto insurance price in Charleston, the largest city in the state. However, if you live elsewhere in the state, you may find that your rates are different since location affects policy premiums.

Remember that when it comes to car insurance premiums, MoneyGeek only shares estimates. Your car insurance premium may vary depending on your unique driver profile, as providers consider other factors, such as your age and driving history, when determining rates. Comparing quotes from several insurers can help you find the cheapest auto insurance company for your needs and preferences.

The five counties in South Carolina with the highest counts of fatal accidents account for 33% of all deadly crashes in the state — or 946 incidents. Most of these crashes happened in Greenville County along US-25 and involved speeding (83) or drunk driving (55).

To find the deadliest roads in South Carolina, MoneyGeek analyzed 2018, 2019 and 2020 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS) database. Currently, 2020 is the latest data available in the system.