SCCJA Pre-Academy Block 4-Basic
Collision Reporting, Uniform Traffic
Ticket, Basic Collision Investigation,
Vehicle Tactics, Mind Armor Exam
56-5-1520 General Rules as to maximum speeds; lower speeds may be
required - -A person shall not drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed
greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having
regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing. Speed must be so
controlled to avoid colliding with a person, vehicle, or other conveyance on
or entering the highway in compliance with legal requirements and the duty
of a person to use care.
-Top 5 Reasons for Collisions - -Too Fast for Conditions-typically rear impact
collisions
Following too Closely-typically rear impact collisions
Fail to Yield the Right of Way-typically angular impact collisions
Disregarding Traffic Sign or Signal-typically side impact collisions
Improper Lane Use/Change-typically side swipe collisions
-56-5-1930 Following Too Closely - -The driver of a motor vehicle shall not
follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having
due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon and the
condition of the highway.
-56-5-2320, Vehicles Turning Left - -The driver of a vehicle intending to turn
to the left within an intersection or into an alley, private road or driveway
shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite
direction which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute
an immediate hazard.
-56-5-2310 Vehicles Approaching or Entering an Intersection - -(a) When
two vehicles approach or enter an intersection from different highways at
approximately the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield
the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.
(b) The right-of-way rule in subsection (a) is modified at through highways
and as otherwise provided in this chapter.
-56-5-2330 Stop signs and yield signs - -(a) Preferential right-of-way may be
indicated by stop signs or yield signs as authorized by the Department of
Transportation or local authorities.
,(b) Except when directed to proceed by a police officer, every driver of a
vehicle approaching a stop sign shall stop at a clearly marked stop line but, if
none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if
none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver
has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering
it. After having stopped, the driver shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle
in the intersection or approaching on another roadway so closely as to
constitute an immediate hazard during the time when such driver is moving
across or within the intersection or junction of roadways.
(c) The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign shall in obedience to such
sign slow down to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions and, if
required for safety to stop, shall stop at a clearly marked stop line but, if
none, before entering the cross-walk on the near side of the intersection or,
if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver
has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting road before entering it.
After slowing or stopping, the driver shall yield the right-of-way to any
vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another roadway so closely as
to constitute an immediate hazard during the time the driver is moving
across or within the intersection or junction of roadways. If such driver is
involved in a collision with a vehicle in the intersection or junction of
roadways, after driving past a yield sign without stopping, the collision shall
be deemed prima facie evidence of his failure to yield right-of-way.
-56-5-2350 vehicle entering the roadway - -The driver of a vehicle about to
enter or cross a roadway from any place other than another roadway shall
yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the roadway to be
entered or crossed.
-56-5-2360, Approach of Emergency Vehicles - -Upon approach of an
authorized emergency vehicle, every other vehicle shall yield the right of
way and drive to a position parallel to and as close to as possible to the right
hand edge of curb of the roadway clear of any intersection and shall stop
and remain in that position until they have passed.
-56-5-2370 highway construction and maintenance - -(a) The driver of a
vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to any authorized vehicle or pedestrian
actually engaged in work upon a highway within any highway traffic
construction or maintenance area indicated by official traffic-control devices.
(b) The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to any authorized
vehicle obviously and actually engaged in work upon a highway whenever
such vehicle displays flashing lights meeting the requirements of Section 56-
5-4650.
, -56-5-2740 place where drivers shall stop for stop signs - -Every driver of a
vehicle approaching a stop sign shall stop before entering the crosswalk on
the near side of the intersection or, in the event there is no crosswalk, shall
stop at a clearly marked stop line but, if none, then at the point nearest the
intersecting highway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on
the intersecting highway before entering the intersection except when
directed to proceed by a police officer or traffic-control signal.
-56-5-1900 driving on roadways laned for traffic - -Whenever any roadway
has been divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic the
following rules in addition to all others consistent herewith shall apply:
(a) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single
lane and shall not be moved from the lane until the driver has first
ascertained that such movement can be made with safety.
(b) Upon a roadway which is divided into three lanes and provides for two-
way movement of traffic, a vehicle shall not be driven in the center lane
except when overtaking and passing another vehicle traveling in the same
direction when the center lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance or in
preparation for making a left turn or where the center lane is at the time
allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the same direction that the vehicle
is proceeding and such allocation is designated by official traffic-control
devices.
(c) Official traffic-control devices may be erected directing specified traffic to
use a designated lane or designating those lanes to be used by traffic
moving in a particular direction regardless of the center of the roadway and
drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of every such device.
(d) Official traffic-control devices may be installed prohibiting the changing of
lanes on sections of roadway and drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions
of such devices.
-56-5-1210 duties of driver involved in accident resulting in death or person
injury - -(A) The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury
to or the death of a person immediately shall stop the vehicle at the scene of
the accident or as close to it as possible. He then shall return to and in every
event shall remain at the scene of the accident until he has fulfilled the
requirements of Section 56-5-1230. However, he may temporarily leave the
scene to report the accident to the proper authorities. The stop must be
made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary. A person who fails
to stop or to comply with the requirements of this section is guilty of:
(1) a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not less than
thirty days nor more than one year or fined not less than one hundred dollars
, nor more than five thousand dollars, or both, when injury results but great
bodily injury or death does not result;
(2) a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not less than thirty
days nor more than ten years and fined not less than five thousand dollars
nor more than ten thousand dollars when great bodily injury results; or
(3) a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not less than one year
nor more than twenty-five years and fined not less than ten thousand dollars
nor more than twenty-five thousand dollars when death results.
(B) Law enforcement officers or authorized employees of the Department of
Transportation may move or have removed from the traveled way all
disabled vehicles and vehicles involved in an accident and any debris caused
by motor vehicle traffic collisions where it can be accomplished safely and
may result in the improved safety or traffic flow upon the road; however,
where a vehicle has been involved in an accident resulting in great bodily
injury or death to a person, the vehicle shall not be moved until it is
authorized by the investigating law enforcement officer. The State, its
political subdivisions, and its officers and employees are not liable for any
damages to vehicles that result from the removal unless the removal was
carried out in a reckless or grossly negligent manner. The vehicle owner and
any driver, or the owner's, driver's, or the at-fault party's insurance
company, of a vehicle removed under this subsection, or the owner's,
driver's, or the at-fault party's insurance company, shall bear all reasonable
costs of removal.
-department - -means the Department of Motor Vehicles when the term
refers to the duties, functions, and responsibilities of the former Motor
Vehicle Division of the Department of Public Safety and means the
Department of Public Safety otherwise and in Section 56-3-840.
-TR-310 - -SCDMV accident report form
-great bodily injury - -means bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of
death or which causes serious, permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss
or impairment of the function of a bodily member or organ.
-56-5-1220 duties of driver involved in accident resulting in damage to
attended vehicles - -(A) The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident
resulting only in damage to a vehicle which is driven or attended by a person
immediately shall stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close to
it as possible, but shall return to and in every event shall remain at the scene
of the accident until he has fulfilled the requirements of Section 56-5-1230.
However, he may temporarily leave the scene to report the accident to the
proper authorities. A person who fails to stop or comply with the
