Bill Text: SC H4394 | 2015-2016 | 121st General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Motor vehicles approaching Tow Trucks
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 3-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-04-26 - Recommitted to Committee on Education and Public Works [H4394 Detail]
Download: South_Carolina-2015-H4394-Introduced.html
A BILL
TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 56-5-1539 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A DRIVER OF A MOTOR VEHICLE APPROACHING A WRECKER OR A TOW TRUCK THAT IS DISPLAYING WARNING SIGNALS MUST PROCEED WITH CAUTION AND, IF POSSIBLE, YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY BY MAKING A LANE CHANGE INTO A LANE THAT IS NOT ADJACENT TO THE WRECKER OR TOW TRUCK, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Article 11, Chapter 5, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 56-5-1539. (A) The driver of a motor vehicle, upon approaching a stationary wrecker or tow truck that is displaying a mounted flashing, oscillating, or blinking blue, red, or amber light shall:
(1) proceed with caution and, if reasonable, with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, yield the right of way by making a lane change into a lane that is not adjacent to the wrecker or tow truck along a highway that has at least four lanes with at least two intended for traffic proceeding in the direction of the approaching vehicle; or
(2) proceed with due caution and maintain a safe speed for highway conditions if changing lanes is impossible or unsafe.
(B) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than thirty days, or fined five hundred dollars, or both."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
