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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.
This web page was last updated on December 3, 2015 at 4:03 PM