South Carolina Fatal Bus Accident Statistics
For the year 2015, there was a total of 114 traffic fatalities involving a large truck or bus. This number is more than double the prior year, which reported 63. In fact, this is a significant increase over the past several years, according to a report from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
These fatalities resulted from 95 accidents for the year, involving 102 large vehicles. Of these, only 16 were single-vehicle accidents. The rest involved two or more vehicles.
A bus is defined in this report as any vehicle that is capable of carrying eight or more passengers, along with the driver. This definition may include intercity and transport buses as well as school buses and van-buses.
South Carolina has a rate of 19.40 fatalities per one million people compared with 11.19 for the national average. While this is almost double the national rate, it is a significant increase from 2010 which was at 12.32. While the population has increased slightly, the main difference is the increase in fatal accidents.
According to the report by FMCSA, the majority of large-vehicle accidents occur during the day on weekdays in clear weather and on dry pavement. Most happen on rural roads with the vehicle traveling between 50 and 55 mph.
Most counties in South Carolina have reported at least one large truck and bus fatality for 2015 with three counties reporting more than five for the year one reporting more than 16. Two of the counties are in the eastern part of the state with the other two in the north part.
Berkeley County reported six deaths for 2015 along with Florence County. Greenville County had seven, which was a significant increase from the one reported in 2014. Spartanburg County had the highest number at 22, which was a dramatic increase from the three reported both in 2013 and 2014.