Sharing the road in South Carolina

By the end of this topic you can

• You can yield correctly to pedestrians, including those who are visually impaired.
• You can pass bicyclists and motorcyclists safely.
• You can stay out of a truck's no zones.
• You can respond to approaching emergency vehicles.
• You can pass farm equipment and animal-drawn vehicles safely.

What you need to know and understand

• Yield to pedestrians in any crosswalk, marked or unmarked, and to all pedestrians in an intersection even on a green light.
• Come to a complete stop for a pedestrian using a white cane or guide dog.
• Bicycles are vehicles; bicyclists have the same rights and duties as drivers.
• Give a motorcyclist a full lane and keep at least a 4-second following distance behind one.
• A loaded truck at 55 mph needs at least 335 feet to stop under ideal conditions.
• A truck's rear blind spot can extend up to 200 feet.
• When an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and siren, pull to the edge of the road so it can pass.

People on foot and on bikes

Be ready to yield to pedestrians even when they are not in a crosswalk. Slow down near parked cars, playgrounds and schools, where children can step out. In a school zone, obey the lower limit when lights flash or children are present, and stop if a crossing guard signals you.

With bicyclists, slow down and leave as much space as possible when passing. Let a cyclist clear an intersection before you turn, never turn sharply across one, and do not drive or park in a bike lane except to enter a driveway or in an emergency. Check for cyclists before opening your door when parked on the street. Avoid sounding your horn close to a cyclist; it can startle them into your path.

Motorcycles and large trucks

• Never share a lane with a motorcycle; it needs the full width.
• Do not assume a motorcycle is turning because its signal is on. Many do not self-cancel.
• If you cannot see a truck driver's face in their side mirror, they cannot see you.
• After passing a truck, pull in only when you can see its whole front in your rearview mirror.
• Do not squeeze between a truck and the curb when it swings wide to turn right.
• On steep hills and near weigh stations, avoid the right lane, where trucks move slowly or re-enter traffic.

Emergency vehicles, rural traffic and police stops

Pull to the edge of the road for an emergency vehicle using lights and siren, and avoid blocking intersections. If it is stopped, the move-over law applies: change to a lane away from it if safe, or slow down and pass with caution.

In rural areas, an orange and red triangle marks a slow vehicle traveling under 25 mph. Horseback riders and animal-drawn vehicles have the same right to use the road. Pass them slowly and widely, and do not sound your horn or rev the engine.

If police stop you, signal and pull over safely, turn off the engine, turn on hazard lights and keep your hands on the wheel. In South Carolina you do not have to sign a traffic ticket.

Common mistakes

• Passing a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk. A pedestrian may be crossing in front of it.
• Following a motorcycle at the same distance as a car. Allow at least 4 seconds.
• Changing lanes right in front of a truck. It needs far more room to stop than you do.
• Stopping in an intersection for an ambulance. Clear the intersection, then pull to the edge.
• Honking at a horse to get it to move over, which can cause the animal to panic.

Test yourself: Sharing the road in South Carolina

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• SC Road Test
• How to Get a Driver’s License in South Carolina
• Moving to South Carolina