LOWCOUNTRY, Sc. (WTOC) - New data from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, as of Sept. 5, showed 600 people have died in traffic crashes this year.

A high number, but South Carolina Department of Transportation Secretary Justin Powell said at Thursday’s SCDOT Commission Meeting that it’s an encouraging number because there were nearly 700 at this same time last year.

This comes days after law enforcement agencies from across the state announced a week-long enforcement initiative to emphasize the “Move Over Law.” The law states that drivers approaching an emergency vehicle with its lights on have to change lanes and drive with caution.

Three state troopers were hit over the last month, and one of them died from their injuries.

READ MORE FROM WIS: ‘Operation Keep Us Safe’

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