South Carolina, like all other states, has laws intended to incentivize drivers to slow down, take care and allow extra space when they see first responders, road construction workers and, in some cases, stranded motorists on or near the road.
This can prevent the kinds of tragedies that we see all too often where first responders and others are struck and in some cases killed by passing motorists who don’t see them in time to slow down or stop or misjudge how close they are. One South Carolina Highway Patrol trooper says, “We don’t worry about getting assaulted… [or] shot as much as…getting hit by a vehicle.”
The “Move Over” law
The “Emergency scene management” law, often referred to as the “Move Over” law, states that when drivers see a “stationary authorized emergency vehicle” with its lights flashing, they must “yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to that of the authorized emergency vehicle, if possible with due regard to safety and traffic conditions…[or] maintain a safe speed for road conditions, if changing lanes is impossible or unsafe.”
An ”authorized emergency vehicle” is defined as an “ambulance, police, fire, rescue, recovery, or towing vehicle authorized by this State, county, or municipality to respond to a traffic incident.” Those who violate the law can be fined up to $500.
Obviously, when the emergency is on a road with only one lane traveling in each direction, it’s typically not safe to move into the other lane even if it’s only for long enough to get around the scene. That’s where slowing down and staying focused on the road ahead rather than the scene itself is crucial. It’s also critical not to panic and hit the brakes. That’s likely only going to cause a crash.
The “Endangerment of a Highway Worker” law
Another South Carolina law addresses “endangerment of a highway worker.” It states that it’s illegal to drive “through or around a work zone in any lane not clearly designated for use by motor vehicles….” or not obeying traffic signs and signals being used to control traffic around the work zone unless it’s necessary for safety reasons. Those who are determined to be guilty of this offense can be fined up to $1,000 if no one is injured.
The consequences of violating either of these laws can be significantly greater if someone is injured or killed. However, it’s crucial not to take any violation lightly or treat it as merely a “traffic ticket,” even if no one is hurt. Getting legal guidance in the event of an alleged offense is a good first step.
