SCDPS

If you are looking for a spec-quack-ular job then check us out at JoinSCHP.com today! Find out what it takes to become one of SC’s finest! ⁦@theSCDPS⁩

Special thanks to Carver-Edisto Middle School for inviting me to be apart of their Career Day !

Do your coworkers let you down? Then consider a career with the SC Department of Public Safety! With great benefits and a selfless mission to serve our state, we'll always have your back. Visit scdps.sc.gov/careers to learn more.

We have a fatal hit and run that occurred in Oconee County and we need your help. If you have any information please contact 1-888-274-6372 or *HP (*47) on your mobile device. #scdps #schp #targetzero

South Carolina has lots of small towns and today I got to spend some time in one of my favorites. Today I spoke to the 4th grade classes at @SES_lex4 about a law enforcement career with @schighwaypatrol. They were very excited to see me and asked lots of great questions!

One unwise decision could derail your life in seconds. Remember - trains more faster than you think and need much more space to stop. So please keep yourself safe and never explore or walk along train tracks. #SeeTracksThinkTrain

Spring has sprung, this if for all my motorcycle riders out there remember dress for the slide not the ride! Good gloves to protect your hands, abrasive clothing i.e. CE safety rated pants and jacket, DOT approved helmet and boots. Road rash and the ground are not your friends.

After a six-month warning period, law enforcement across South Carolina began issuing citations for the state’s Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Law on February 28, 2026. The total number of citations issued by SCDPS (SC Highway Patrol, SC State Transport Police, and the SC Bureau of Protective Services) for hands-free violations from February 28, 2026 – March 29, 2026 is 1,994. The total number of hands-free citations issued by other law enforcement agencies* for hands-free violations for the same reporting period is 1,501, bringing the statewide total of hands-free citations to 3,495. For more information, please click here: scdps.sc.gov/news/2026/0330…

Whether on two wheels or four, you have a say in traffic safety! Cyclists - Ride with the flow of traffic as far to the right as practical. If you are riding your bike after dark, you must use lights and reflectors. Drivers - Keep an eye out for cyclists, pass only when it's clear, and maintain a safe distance from bikes. For more information on bicycle safety, visit scdps.sc.gov/bicyclesafety #BicycleSafety #ShareTheRoad

@algibson90 Thank you for the kind words!

@theSCDPS Thanks to the officers from the State Protective Services who worked at the No Kings protest on Saturday. Every time I have been to the statehouse for any reason, I have always noticed how seriously these officers take their job!

I always love helping out the Cumbee Center with their annual Bake-Off. This event gives you an opportunity to not only sample delicious treats , but also connect with the community !

If you’re headed to Camden today for the Carolina Cup, stop by and say hi at the @thescdps booth. We will have some traffic safety giveaways available. If your plans include alcohol, please plan ahead and designate a sober drive or use a ride share service.

Today, representatives from the SC Department of Public Safety and the @SCDOTPress met for a joint press conference to discuss recent successes in highway safety initiatives. Thanks to the use of data-driven enforcement, targeted education and community engagement strategies, and strong partnerships at the state and local levels, traffic fatalities across our state are at their lowest numbers in more than 10 years! Although we acknowledge that one life lost on South Carolina roadways is one too many, we are encouraged by the historic decrease in fatalities and know that our consistent efforts are providing real results. Thank you to our partners at SCDOT and law enforcement agencies across South Carolina for sharing this critical mission in saving lives. We could not do it without you! To learn more — scdps.sc.gov/news/2026/0327…

If you’re out at the Sportsman Classic today or this weekend, stop by the @schighwaypatrol booth in the Goodman building. We will be here to give traffic safety tips, give out some swag, and tell you about a career with @schighwaypatrol. @schp_troop5 @thescdps

I had the opportunity to speak to Branchville middle and high school about South Carolina Highway Patrol. Investing in our future, sharing my experience, and give a real look into what it means to serve and protect is what it’s all about to inspire our future leaders.

2 MAIT investigators earn international accreditation. Here’s why that’s such a big deal Written by: SCDPS Staff Writer, Teddy Kulmala ----- Congratulations to Master Trooper C.E. Young and Lance Corporal J.R. Himes, who recently earned their national accreditation, joining a small but elite class of collision reconstructionists. Lance Corporal Himes and Master Trooper Young, of the Highway Patrol’s Multi-disciplinary Accident Investigation Team, both received their accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction (ACTAR). There are only 1,507 accredited reconstruction professionals worldwide, according to ACTAR data. The 41 accredited reconstructionists in South Carolina include active and retired law enforcement officers, attorneys, and coroners. The accreditation process involves two parts: An application to evaluate each person’s education, employment, training and experience; and an in-person examination that consists of theory and practical study. Candidates are allowed four hours per portion, or eight hours total to complete the entire process. “On part of the exam, they give you a list with some coordinates, and you basically have to draw in an entire collision scene and work the math,” said Young, who joined the patrol in 2014 and transferred to MAIT in 2021. “It requires years of training, and a lot of experience in traffic reconstruction.” In addition to the distinction, accreditation bolsters the quality and credibility of an investigator and their work in court, according to Captain Jeremy Leach, MAIT commander. “MAIT utilizes accredited team members as a peer-review point for casework that often includes mathematical calculations, occupant kinematics, bulb analysis, and a variety of other disciplines in the field,” Leach said. “Their accreditation will be a valuable tool that enhances the credibility and quality of MAIT’s investigations.” Himes, who joined the patrol in 2017 and transferred to MAIT in 2021, said he studied and went to study sessions for a year before his first attempt at the exam, while still completing his work as a trooper and MAIT investigator. “It was a huge relief to receive my letter in the mail after years of studying and trying to pass the test,” he said. “With this accreditation, I will be able to testify with more authority in court and be able to become a leader within the MAIT unit to help move us forward in assisting with the mission of the South Carolina Highway Patrol.” There are now 17 accredited collision reconstructionists with the Highway Patrol, according to Leach, who said that adding two more accredited investigators will enhance the team’s effectiveness in handling complex investigations. “Accreditation with ACTAR is a remarkable achievement that is recognized nationwide and by the legal and scientific community,” he said. “Their expertise will serve MAIT, the Highway Patrol, and the state of South Carolina by providing a recognized standard for traffic reconstruction, ensuring each team member is qualified in determining liability and/or contributing factors in civil and criminal cases, which is a critical factor in the integrity of collision investigations.” Way to go, Master Trooper Young and Lance Corporal Himes!

Enjoyed my time yesterday on Hilton Head Island! I spoke with 11th and 12th grades from Hilton Head Prep about staying safe this prom season. I hope they have a fun and safe prom night this weekend! #HighwaysorDieways

@oldlumberman Hello! South Carolina law says you can use your phone while at a legal stop such as a red light. However, the stop is no longer legal once it turns green!

@theSCDPS Can you be on your phone if you are stopped at a red light?

This baseball season, slide into home SAFELY. Before you drink, plan your sober ride: ⚾ Schedule a rideshare ⚾ Call a taxi ⚾ Have a sober friend drive you home Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

Let's keep it simple: buckle up! ✅ It’s the most important thing you’ll do on the road today (and every day).