A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 56-1-10, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO DEFINE A MEDIUM SPEED VEHICLE; AND BY ADDING SECTION 56-2-5000 SO AS TO PROVIDE REGULATIONS FOR THE OPERATION OF MEDIUM SPEED VEHICLES.

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

SECTION 1.   Section 56-1-10 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding

   (38) "Medium speed vehicle" or "MSV" means a four-wheeled motor vehicle, other than an all-terrain vehicle, whose speed attainable in one mile is more than twenty miles an hour and not more than forty-five miles an hour on a paved level surface, and whose gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is less than five thousand pounds.

SECTION 2.   Chapter 2, Title 56 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

   Article 5

   Medium Speed Vehicles

   Section 56-2-5000.   Conditions for operation on street or highway.

   (A) A medium speed vehicle may be operated only on a highway for which the posted speed limit is forty-five miles an hour or less.

   (B) A medium speed vehicle may cross a highway at an intersection where the highway has a posted speed limit of more than forty-five miles an hour.

   (C) A medium speed vehicle must meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 500 (Part 49 Section 571.500 of the Code of Federal Regulations) at all times when operated on any highway. A medium speed vehicle that complies with the equipment requirements in 49 C.F.R. Section 571.500 complies with all equipment requirements of this title.

   (D) Nothing in this section prevents local governments from adopting more stringent local ordinances governing medium speed vehicle operation.

   (E) A county or municipality may prohibit the operation of medium speed vehicles on any street or highway if the governing body of the county or municipality determines that the prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.

   (F) The Department of Transportation may prohibit the operation of medium speed vehicles on any street or highway if it determines that the prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.

SECTION 3.   This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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