Lowcountry law enforcement take part in ‘Operation Safe Drive 278′

HARDEEVILLE, SC. (WTOC) - If you have noticed more law enforcement on Highway 278 in the Lowcountry, you are not alone.

They’re on the roads this week taking part in “Operation Safe Drive 278”, which is being used to promote safety.

For most residents in the Lowcountry, at some point of the day they experience Highway 278.

“It’s a very heavily traveled roadway every single day. Lot of accidents out there, lot of congestion, and folks are just not knowledgeable about the current laws,” said Jasper County Sheriff, Chris Malphrus.

We spoke with law enforcement Wednesday about what they have seen so far this week and what they hope drivers get out of this initiative.

So far this week, law enforcement agencies from Beaufort and Jasper counties tell us even with the implementation of the Hands-Free Law earlier this month and more officers on Highway 278 they are still seeing a lot of distracted drivers.

“The mission is to slow traffic down and get folks to pay more attention to what they are doing, eliminate some distracted driving. Get these people back and forth to work or back and forth to their destination safely,” said Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Major, Jeff Purdy.

Officers also say they are seeing their fair share of traffic violations like speeding and people disobeying the Move Over Law, which requires drivers to slow down or move lanes when passing an emergency vehicle or work vehicle with flashing lights.

“We have definitely seen an issue with the Move Over Law. We’ve seen several troopers struck the last couple of weeks out there. It’s definitely an issue on 278 and we are working to address it,” said Bluffton Police Captain, Craig Karafa.

This increased police presence is happening on one of the busiest roadways in the Lowcountry, a place that in the past has been plagued by car crashes.

Officers hope that through this weeklong initiative they will be able to not only keep the roads safe but also use it to educate.

“Enforcement isn’t always the answer. I think enforcement quickly brings attention, but our goal is to educate the motoring public just to be safer, pay attention, and educate themselves on the law,” said Sheriff Malphrus.

Even with the education part of this week, officers are still issuing tickets and citations for breaking the move over law and other traffic violations.

As far as the Hands-Free Law goes, they are only issuing warnings right now until March, which is when they will start issuing fines and tickets for breaking that law.