Richland, Lexington Counties Awarded $200,000+ Grant for DUI Team

A grant worth more than $200,000 has been awarded to Richland and Lexington counties’ DUI or driving under the influence team for the salaries and vehicle mileage of three troopers dedicated to DUI enforcement, according to the S.C. Department of Public Safety.

Richland and Lexington counties rank number one and seventh, respectively, in the state for DUI fatalities, according to the department.

The grant of $248,873 is part of the funding for three other grants awarded to the S.C. Highway Patrol.

More than $700,000 was awarded by the S.C. Department of Public Safety's Office of Highway Safety to enhance the S.C. Highway Patrol’s efforts in belt safety, and DUI enforcement and outreach.

The grants are through funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Other grants awarded include: 

• $333,274 for the salaries and vehicle mileage of three troopers with the Florence-Horry DUI Team. Horry County ranks sixth in the state for DUI deaths.

• $87,935 to purchase two rollover simulators to be used statewide to educate the public about safety belts and the high incidence of rollover crashes in the state.

• $52,000 to go toward the purchase of seven pairs of DUI fatal vision goggles, seven golf carts and equipment for the golf carts. These items are used by the S.C. Highway Patrol Community Relations Officers around the state every day to teach teenagers about the dangers of driving under the influence.