Why Memorial Day Marks the Start of South Carolina’s Most Dangerous Season
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:
- more people on the road
- more boats on the water
- longer days that stretch into late nights
- and too often, alcohol is involved in the mix
Understanding what the data shows is the first step toward making sure your family doesn’t become part of it.
Data: Memorial Day Weekend Is One of the Deadliest on South Carolina Roads
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.
Data: SC Waterways Carry Real Risk Over Holiday Weekends
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.
Practical Preparation for Avoiding Injuries on Memorial Day Weekend
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 |
Know Your Options in Case You or Someone You Love Is Hurt
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.
After a Car Accident
- Stay safe first. Move to the shoulder or a safe location if you are able to do so.
- Call 911. Even if the accident seems minor, a police report creates an official record.
- Document the scene. Take photos and videos of the vehicles, the road, any visible injuries, and the surrounding area.
- Seek medical care. Some injuries, including concussions and internal injuries, do not show symptoms immediately. Get evaluated before simply moving on with your day-to-day.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company without speaking to an injury attorney first. Insurance adjusters are trained to protect their own interests, not yours.
After a Boating Accident
- Get everyone to safety. If anyone is in the water, focus on getting them aboard or to shore first.
- Call for help. Contact the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16 or call 911 if you have cell service.
- Cooperate with SC DNR. Law enforcement will respond and investigate. Cooperate fully.
- Apply the same principle about insurance contact. Do not speak to any insurance company or sign any documents before talking to an attorney.
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.
You Take Care of Your Family. We’ll Take Care of Your Case.
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!
