COLUMBIA (WACH) -- The fourth of July is a great time to spend with friends and family, but it's also one of the deadliest weekends to be on the road or in the water.
Officials with the Department of Natural Resources, Highway Patrol and several other departments are out in full force throughout the weekend, trying to crack down on those that shouldn't be behind the wheel.
Richland County Sheriff's department spokesperson Monique Mack tells us they'll have more patrols out on the water and the highways in hopes that more visibility will encourage people to obey the laws.
Jessica Taylor knows this holiday weekend is a dangerous time to be on the road and in the water, so she plans to stay off both.
"Just that's it's a holiday is a reason you want to get worked up and happy about and you don't need any other substance to do that," says Taylor.
Law enforcement officials say as of June 30th there have been 50 highway fatalities.