Troopers mingle with shoppers on Black Friday

Smiles and handshakes from a South Carolina Highway Patrol trooper isn't all that different from getting a speeding ticket. Either way, the officers say they have your best interest at heart by keeping you and others safe on the highways. On Friday, Lance Cpl. Jeff Gaskin and Lance Cpl. Kathy Hiles spent a portion of Black Friday at the Prime Outlets — Gaffney, passing out safety literature and friendly reminders to be safe on the road. Two members of the South Carolina Highway Patrol got off the highway on Black Friday and spent time among the throngs of shoppers at Prime Outlets — Gaffney.

Lance Cpl. Jeff Gaskin from Troop 4 and Lance Cpl. Kathy Hiles from Troop 3 weren't there to take advantage of the good deals, however. They came out to simply let the public know the Highway Patrol had their best interests at heart.

By setting up at the busy Prime Outlets, the two veteran law enforcement officers were able to have face-toface meetings and share smiles and handshakes with hundreds of adults and children.

"The day after Thanksgiving is one of the busiest shopping days of the year," Gaskin said between conversations with shoppers. "This gives us an opportunity to reach so many drivers and educate them about the things they can do to make their travel safer."

The messages the officers were trying to spread were pretty typical: slow down, stay sober, and wear your seat belts. But they were also messages that experience shows need constant reinforcement.

"Our goal is fatality reduction," Gaskin said. "We try to use education, engineering and enforcement to accomplish this goal."