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TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-170, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THESE VEHICLES ARE ALLOWED TO USE AND DISPLAY ANY BLUE LIGHTS OR RED LIGHTS; TO DEFINE THE TERM "DISPLAY", AND TO PROVIDE THAT ONLY CERTAIN AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLES MAY DISPLAY THE WORD "POLICE".
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 56-5-170 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 56-5-170. (A) Fire department vehicles, police vehicles, ambulances and rescue squad vehicles which are publicly owned, other emergency vehicles designated by the department or the chief of police of a municipality, and public and private vehicles while transporting individuals actually engaged in emergency activities because of the membership of one or more occupants of a fire department, police department, sheriffs' office, or rescue squad are 'authorized emergency vehicles'.
(B) Only authorized emergency vehicles are allowed use or display of any blue lights or red lights. This includes light bars and smaller lights such as dash, deck, or visor lights. To 'display' means to be seen, whether activated or not.
(C) A vehicle shall not display the word 'police' unless it is an authorized emergency vehicle for use only by sworn police officers who are approved and certified by the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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