A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 56-5-1538, RELATING TO EMERGENCY SCENE MANAGEMENT, SO AS TO PROVIDE DRIVERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING VEHICLE CONTROL IN CERTAIN EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES TO AVOID INTERFERING WITH THE OPERATION OF AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLES, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS.

 

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

 

SECTION 1.  Section 56-5-1538(F) and (H) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    (F) The driver of a vehicle shall ensure that the vehicle is kept under control when approaching or passing an emergency scene or authorized emergency vehicle stopped on or near the right-of-way of a street or highway with emergency lights flashing. The exercise of control required for a driver to comply with this section is that control possible and necessary by the driver to prevent a collision, to prevent injury to persons or property, and to avoid interference with the performance of emergency duties by emergency personnel, or interfering with the operation of an authorized emergency vehicle.

 

    (H) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of the misdemeanor of endangering emergency services personnel or operators of authorized emergency vehicles and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than three hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars.

 

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

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