Current Status Bill Number:594 Ratification Number:136 Act Number:56 Type of Legislation:General Bill GB Introducing Body:Senate Introduced Date:19970401 Primary Sponsor:Ryberg All Sponsors:Ryberg Drafted Document Number:res1312.wgr Date Bill Passed both Bodies:19970529 Date of Last Amendment:19970422 Governor's Action:S Date of Governor's Action:19970605 Subject:Bicycles, police patrol bicycle same as emergency vehicle, siren and whistle; Law Enforcement
Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved
______ ________ _______________________________________ _______ ____________
------ 19970619 Act No. A56
------ 19970605 Signed by Governor
------ 19970604 Ratified R136
House 19970529 Read third time, enrolled for
ratification
House 19970528 Read second time
House 19970515 Request for debate by Representative Moody-
Lawrence
House 19970515 Request for debate withdrawn
by Representative Haskins
Robinson
Seithel
Simrill
Limehouse
House 19970514 Request for debate by Representative Knotts
Limehouse
Whatley
Seithel
Felder
Haskins
Simrill
Robinson
Riser
House 19970508 Committee report: Favorable 21 HEPW
House 19970424 Introduced, read first time, 21 HEPW
referred to Committee
Senate 19970423 Read third time, sent to House
Senate 19970422 Amended, read second time,
unanimous consent for third reading
on Wednesday, 19970423
Senate 19970417 Recalled from Committee, 15 ST
placed on the Calendar
Senate 19970401 Introduced, read first time, 15 ST
referred to Committee
View additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.
(A56, R136, S594)
AN ACT TO AMEND ARTICLE 27, CHAPTER 5, TITLE 56, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO BICYCLISTS, BY ADDING SECTION 56-5-3515, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE AN AUTHORIZED POLICE PATROL BICYCLE USED AS A PART OF A POLICE BICYCLE PATROL TO EXERCISE THE PRIVILEGES OF AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE, TO AUTHORIZE THE BICYCLE TO BE EQUIPPED WITH A SIREN OR THE OFFICER TO USE A WHISTLE, OR BOTH, AND TO AUTHORIZE THE BICYCLE TO ACT AS AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE IF IT MAKES USE OF AN AUTHORIZED AUDIBLE SIGNAL OR AUTHORIZED VISUAL SIGNALS; AND TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-3480, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE PROHIBITION ON THE USE OF SIRENS AND WHISTLES ON BICYCLES, SO AS TO EXEMPT AUTHORIZED POLICE PATROL BICYCLES FROM THIS PROHIBITION.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
Police patrol bicycle
SECTION 1. Article 27, Chapter 5, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 56-5-3515. (A) An authorized police patrol bicycle used as a part of a police bicycle patrol may exercise the privileges of an emergency vehicle provided in Section 56-5-760.
(B) An authorized police patrol bicycle may be equipped with a siren or the officer may utilize a whistle in the performance of his duties, or both.
(C) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 56-5-760(C), an authorized police patrol bicycle acting as an emergency vehicle is entitled to the exemptions of an authorized emergency vehicle if it makes use of an audible signal meeting the requirements of Section 56-5-4970 or visual signals meeting the requirements of Section 56-5-4700."
Bicycle warning device
SECTION 2. Section 56-5-3480 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 181 of 1993, is amended to read:
"Section 56-5-3480. No person shall operate a bicycle unless it is equipped with a bell or other device capable of giving a signal audible for a distance of at least one hundred feet, except that a bicycle shall not be equipped with nor shall any person use upon a bicycle any siren or whistle, except as provided in Section 56-5-3515."
Time effective
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
Approved the 5th day of June, 1997.