TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 56-5-1885 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN IT IS LAWFUL TO DRIVE A COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE IN THE LEFT LANE OF AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SHALL ERECT APPROPRIATE SIGNS ALONG THE STATE'S INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS TO GIVE NOTICE TO COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATORS OF THE PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION, AND TO PROVIDE THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH A TRAFFIC TICKET MAY BE ISSUED FOR THE VIOLATION OF THIS PROVISION.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Article 13, Chapter 5, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 56-5-1885.    (A)    Notwithstanding another provision of law, a commercial motor vehicle must not be driven in the furthest left lane of an interstate highway except when overtaking and passing another vehicle.

(B)    Subsection (A) does not apply:

(1)    when no other vehicle is directly behind a commercial motor vehicle in the left lane;

(2)    when traffic conditions and congestion make it impractical to drive in the right lane;

(3)    when snow and other inclement weather conditions make it safer to drive in the left lane;

(4)    when obstructions or hazards exist in the right lane; or

(5)    when, because of highway design, a commercial motor vehicle must be driven in the left lane when preparing to exit.

(C)    The department shall erect appropriate signs along the state's interstate highways that gives notice to an operator of a commercial motor vehicle of the provisions contained in this section.

(D)    For a period of ninety days after the effective date of this section, only warning tickets may be issued for a violation of the provisions of subsection (A)."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.