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COMMITTEE REPORT
April 10, 2002
H. 4754
S. Printed 4/10/02--H. [SEC 4/11/02 8:11 PM]
Read the first time February 19, 2002.
To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (H. 4754) to urge the public and state agencies involved in traffic incident management to enhance the flow of motor vehicle traffic and reduce the danger of accidents along the State's roadways, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:
RONALD N. FLEMING for Committee.
TO URGE THE PUBLIC AND STATE AGENCIES INVOLVED IN TRAFFIC INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TO ENHANCE THE FLOW OF MOTOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC AND REDUCE THE DANGER OF ACCIDENTS ALONG THE STATE'S ROADWAYS BY MAKING EVERY REASONABLE EFFORT TO MOVE CERTAIN VEHICLES INVOLVED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND DISABLED VEHICLES FROM THE STATE'S ROADWAYS.
Whereas, vehicles involved in collisions and disabled vehicles on South Carolina's roadways create a significant danger to the public and a substantial hindrance to traffic flow when those vehicles remain in the travel lanes of the roadway; and
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representative's Ad Hoc Committee on Highway Safety recommends that drivers be required to move damaged vehicles out of the travel lanes of a roadway when possible; and
Whereas, Sections 56-5-1210 and 56-5-1220 of the South Carolina Code of Laws require the driver of a vehicle involved in a collision to stop the vehicle without obstructing traffic more than is necessary; and
Whereas, there is a commonly-held misconception that South Carolina law requires a driver involved in a collision to leave the vehicle where it rests after the collision; and
Whereas, representatives of the South Carolina Department of Transportation, the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, local law enforcement agencies, emergency medical services, the insurance industry, the trucking industry, the towing industry, and legal professionals have reached a consensus that public education concerning the importance of moving disabled vehicles and vehicles involved in a collision from the travel lane would enhance the safety and convenience of the traveling public in South Carolina. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, urge the public and all agencies involved in traffic incident management to promote actions and public education that will result in the quick clearance of South Carolina's roadways in order to reduce any danger to the public and hindrance to the traffic flow. Moreover, if a disabled vehicle or vehicle involved in a collision is obstructing traffic, the members of the General Assembly urge the driver or authorized emergency response personnel to make every reasonable effort to move the vehicle so as not to block the regular flow of traffic, provided that this relocation does not endanger any persons or cause the release of any hazardous substances which could cause harm to the public health or the environment.
Be it further resolved that copies of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation, the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Health and Environmental Control, and the Department of Insurance.
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