South Carolina General Assembly
123rd Session, 2019-2020

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Bill 5073


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A BILL

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 56-5-5200 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN TRUCKS, TRAILERS, SEMITRAILERS, AND BUSES MUST BE EQUIPPED WITH SPLASH GUARDS, AND PROVIDE A PENALTY.

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

SECTION    1.    Article 35, Chapter 5, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 56-5-5200.    (A)    A person shall not operate a truck, trailer, semitrailer, or bus on the public highways of this State unless the vehicle is equipped with rear fender splash guards that:

        (1)    are attached in a manner that prevents the splashing of mud, water, or debris on the windshield of another motor vehicle;

        (2)    extend to a length of not more than eight inches from the ground;

        (3)    are wide enough to cover the full tread of the tires being protected;

        (4)    control the side throw of the bulk of any thrown road surface material;

        (5)    may be constructed of a flexible rubberized material; and

        (6)    are attached in a manner that, regardless of movement either in the splash guards or the vehicle, the splash guards retain their general parallel relationship to the tread surface of the tire or wheel under ordinary operating conditions.

    (B)    This section shall not apply to:

        (1)    a pick-up truck with a manufacturer's rating of three-quarter ton or less. However, this section applies if the pick-up truck has been modified from the original bumper height design to raise the center of gravity of the pick-up truck;

        (2)    farm tractors and implements of husbandry; and

        (3)    a vehicle which is not required to be registered.

    (C)    A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days."

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

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