Car Accidents • 7 min read
Memorial Day weekend is one of the most dangerous times on SC roads and waterways. Learn what the data shows, how to prepare, and what to do if you’re injured.
Key Takeaways
Every year, as families across South Carolina pack their cars, back their boats into the water, and head out to make summer memories, the state’s roads and waterways get busier than almost any other time of year. That surge in activity is something to celebrate. But it comes with real risk that’s worth understanding before the holiday weekend begins.
SCDPS Director Robert G. Woods IV has described Memorial Day as the start of what he calls the “100 Deadly Days of Summer,” a period stretching from Memorial Day through Labor Day when traffic fatalities historically increase on South Carolina roads.
The reasons behind that pattern of fatalities and injuries are familiar:
Understanding what the data shows is the first step toward making sure your family doesn’t become part of it.
We feel hopeful that in recent years, South Carolina has seen a drop in the number of fatalities on roadways over Memorial Day weekend. The numbers still tell a sobering story, though.
12 people were killed on South Carolina roadways during the 2022 Memorial Day holiday period (May 27-30), according to the SC Department of Public Safety.
| Year | Memorial Day Weekend Fatalities (SC Roadways) |
| 2022 | 12 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 5 |
The downward trend is meaningful and reflects real work by law enforcement and safety advocates. But five families still received the worst kind of news over a holiday weekend in 2025. Every one of those losses was someone’s neighbor, parent, or child.
South Carolina’s lakes, rivers, and coastal waters are a source of real joy for families across the state. They also carry real risk, particularly over holiday weekends when boat traffic is at its highest.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, South Carolina recorded 156 recreational boating accidents in 2023, resulting in 24 deaths. Many of those fatalities involved victims who were not wearing life jackets.
Lake Murray has been a recurring area of concern. In 2022, South Carolina saw 170 recreational boating accidents statewide, with reports of 22 fatalities connected to the Lake Murray area.
SC DNR Law Enforcement has been direct about what they see driving accidents during holiday weekends, stating that drinking and boating is “probably one of the biggest sources of an accident” during these periods.
The July 4th 2025 boating incident on Lake Greenwood, while not a Memorial Day event, reflects the same patterns that appear on every major summer holiday weekend across the state. On that occasion, SC DNR officers who were already on the water for proactive safety patrols witnessed a vessel traveling without navigation lights and then crash into another boat, killing two young people from Greenwood. SC DNR stated afterward:
“This tragic event serves as a stark reminder that alcohol and water are a deadly combination. We continue to urge the public: always designate a sober skipper. Lives depend on it.”
South Carolina also experienced a heartbreaking incident in April 2026, when one person was killed after a boat departed from Shem Creek and struck a dock in Mount Pleasant.
The good news is that most Memorial Day accidents are preventable. A little planning before the festivities begin goes a long way toward making sure everyone gets home safely.
| Reducing Injuries on Roadways | Reducing Injuries on Waterways |
| Plan for a sober driver or use a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft | Plan for a sober skipper who will not drink and will operate the boat or watercraft |
| Buckle every seatbelt, every ride, no exceptions | Make sure every person on board has a properly fitted life jacket within reach |
| Put your phone down and out of reach before you start driving | File a float plan with someone on shore so people know where you are going and when to expect you back |
| Plan rest stops for any trip longer than two hours. Fatigue is a real factor | Check weather conditions before departing, and do not ignore small craft advisories |
| Travel during daylight hours when possible, especially on unfamiliar routes | Ensure your vessel has proper navigation lights and that they are working before dark |
Even when you do everything right, accidents happen because someone else didn’t. If you or a family member is injured in a Memorial Day accident in South Carolina, the steps you take in the immediate aftermath matter.
Whatever the cause of the accident is, timing matters in both situations. Evidence from an accident scene can be lost or altered quickly. Witnesses’ memories fade. Medical records from the days immediately following an accident are often central to what your case is worth. The sooner you speak with someone who can guide you through the legal process, the better position you are in.
Insurance companies have teams of lawyers. So should you.
At Armada Law, we fight for hardworking South Carolinians like you. We know that nobody reaches out to a lawyer on a good day. If you or someone you love has been hurt in a Memorial Day car accident, truck accident, boating accident, accident involving a drunk driver, or if you have lost a family member and want to understand your options, we are here to walk alongside you.
We handle the legal process so you can focus on what matters most: your family, your recovery, and your life. Our team is standing by to assist our neighbors across South Carolina 24/7. Call Armada Law at 833-332-3128 for a free case review.
Have a safe Memorial Day weekend, South Carolina. We are rooting for you!
Written and Reviewed by: Chris Carsten
You don’t have to face insurance companies alone. Tell us what happened and start your recovery.Contact Armada Law today for a free case review and let us help you get your life back on track.
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